Southwestern Mexico’s Guerrero state is on high alert as Hurricane Polo, a powerful Pacific cyclone, skirts the coastline with forecasted rain totals of four to six inches through Thursday. The National Hurricane Center in Miami warned that the storm’s winds could reach 160 mph, creating life‑threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in the region’s rural, mountainous communities.
Local business owner Concepción López Villegas, who runs a seaside restaurant in Lázaro Cárdenas, Michoacán, said she is scrambling to protect her decades‑old establishment. “We’re worried and trying to protect our businesses,” she told reporters, adding that the storm threatens the heritage and legacy she has built.
Government response in Mexico
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed that Polo is not expected to make landfall, but emphasized the need for evacuations and shelter preparations. Thousands of military personnel and Red Cross volunteers have been deployed to assist residents, and shelters have been opened in vulnerable areas.
Tropical Storm Nolo heading toward Hawaii
Meanwhile, far out in the Pacific, Tropical Storm Nolo sits about 295 miles south of South Point, Hawaii. Meteorologists expect the system to strengthen into a hurricane by Thursday night and approach the Big Island as early as Friday, potentially dumping 20 to 30 inches of rain.
John Bravender, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, warned that such rainfall could cause catastrophic flash flooding, especially on the southeastern side of the island, which was still recovering from Hurricane Lala in August. “That by itself could cause catastrophic flooding, but when you put that on top of grounds that we’ve been raining off and on for the last couple of months … that rain could cause even more damage,” Bravender said.
Hawaii County Mayor Kimo Alameda urged residents to prepare immediately, assembling emergency kits, trimming vegetation, and clearing drains. Kauai’s electric cooperative warned of possible prolonged power outages, and Hawaiian Electric announced crews would be on standby to address any damage.
Other Pacific systems
In addition to Nolo, Hurricane Odalys is tracking west‑southwest of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula with sustained winds of 85 mph. While Odalys is not expected to make landfall, forecasters note it could fluctuate in strength over the next few days before weakening later in the week.
Authorities on both sides of the Pacific continue to monitor these systems closely, urging residents to stay informed and heed official guidance as the storms develop.
Original reporting: NBC4 Los Angeles — read the source article.
