Hurricane Polo struck Mexico’s northwestern Pacific coast for the second time on Tuesday following heavy rainfall in the southern Baja California peninsula. The landfall occurred near Guaymas, a port city on the Sea of Cortez in Sonora state. Emergency evacuations were ordered in various municipalities, including Guaymas, Empalme, Benito Juarez, and Vicam. Approximately 543 individuals sought shelter as the storm approached.
As a Category 1 hurricane, Polo was inland by 10 a.m. local time with maximum sustained winds of approximately 120 km/h, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC). The NHC anticipated rapid weakening as the storm moved further inland. While Polo was expected to lose strength over land, AccuWeather warned that its remnants could bring heavy rainfall to the U.S. Southwest and Plains.
Before reaching Sonora, Polo had already impacted the Baja California peninsula as a stronger Category 2 storm, causing flooding and tree damage. Fortunately, no fatalities were reported by Baja California Sur Gov. VÃctor Manuel Castro.
Forecasts suggested that Sonora would receive 10 to 15 centimeters of rainfall, with isolated areas experiencing up to 20 centimeters. Baja California Sur faced the potential for an additional two to five centimeters of rain, posing risks of flooding and mudslides. Residents, such as Bertha Lopez from Loreto in Baja California Sur, expressed relief that the storm was not as destructive as anticipated.
Close to 700 individuals sought refuge in emergency shelters in Baja California Sur, with plans to return home gradually. Mexico’s civil protection agency announced that relief efforts, including the distribution of food and water, were underway in the affected region.
