MEXICO CITY — Southwestern Mexico braced for heavy rain and mudslides Wednesday after Polo intensified into a major hurricane, while forecasters warned that Tropical Storm Nolo could bring catastrophic flooding to Hawaii later this week.
Hurricane Polo, described by the National Hurricane Center in Miami as “extremely dangerous,” was expected to pass just offshore of Guerrero state and drench coastal areas with 4 to 6 inches of rain through Thursday. Guerrero has endured repeated hurricane strikes in recent years.
Farther west in the Pacific, Tropical Storm Nolo was about 295 miles south of South Point on Hawaii Island. Forecasters said Nolo is likely to strengthen into a hurricane by Thursday night and could near the Big Island as early as Friday, with rainfall totals up to 20 inches possible. That amount raises serious concerns for flooding and landslides.
Tropical Storm Nolo forecast for Hawaii
Polo could bring flooding and mudslides to Mexico’s Pacific coast
Along Mexico’s coast, residents rushed to secure homes and businesses. In Lázaro Cárdenas, Michoacán, restaurateur Concepción López Villegas worked to fortify her seaside eatery as large waves pounded nearby beaches, fearing the storm could wipe out a livelihood built over decades. “We’re worried and trying to protect our businesses,” she said, adding that their legacy could be lost in moments.
Officials said Guerrero faces the highest threat of life-threatening flooding and mudslides. By Wednesday, Polo was about 130 miles south-southwest of Zihuatanejo and not expected to make landfall, according to meteorologists and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum. Rain and strong winds had already arrived along the coast.
The hurricane center reported maximum sustained winds near 160 mph Wednesday night and warned that the deluge could trigger deadly flooding, especially in Guerrero. The hardest-hit zone is rural and mountainous, with scattered tourist towns and ports. Many communities struggle with poverty and often say they are left to cope on their own during disasters.
Mexico’s government called for evacuations in some areas and opened shelters. Thousands of military personnel and Red Cross workers were deployed as a precaution.
Tropical Storm Nolo could hit Hawaii as soon as Friday
The National Weather Service said Tropical Storm Nolo is expected to strengthen before approaching the Big Island on Friday or Saturday. John Bravender, a warning coordination meteorologist, said the system has the potential to become a major hurricane. While strong winds are possible, he emphasized that flash flooding is the primary concern.
He said 20 to 30 inches of rain could fall through Saturday across southeastern parts of the Big Island, an area already soaked by 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. He urged preparation across all islands in case the track shifts. “You need to take action now. Today is really the last dry day you have to get ready.”
Hawaii County Mayor Kimo Alameda asked residents to prepare emergency kits with food, water and medications, trim vegetation and clear drains. Kauai’s electric cooperative warned of potential prolonged outages and advised storing nonperishable food and potable water. More than 100 Kauai households still lack power from Hurricane Lowell, which passed west of the island on Sept. 7. Hawaiian Electric said crews would return to at-risk areas ahead of the storm.
Hawaii County Mayor Kimo Alameda asked residents to prepare emergency kits with food, water and medications, trim vegetation and clear drains. Kauai’s electric cooperative warned of potential prolonged outages and advised storing nonperishable food and potable water. More than 100 Kauai households still lack power from Hurricane Lowell, which passed west of the island on Sept. 7. Hawaiian Electric said crews would return to at-risk areas ahead of the storm.
Hawaii County Mayor Kimo Alameda asked residents to prepare emergency kits with food, water and medications, trim vegetation and clear drains. Kauai’s electric cooperative warned of potential prolonged outages and advised storing nonperishable food and potable water. More than 100 Kauai households still lack power from Hurricane Lowell, which passed west of the island on Sept. 7. Hawaiian Electric said crews would return to at-risk areas ahead of the storm.
Odalys strengthens into a hurricane
Also in the Pacific, Hurricane Odalys strengthened Wednesday with maximum sustained winds near 85 mph. The system was about 1,205 miles west-southwest of the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula and was not expected to make landfall, the hurricane center said.
An advisory noted Odalys could intensify over the next couple of days before weakening later in the week.
