Overview
- As of Friday, Hurricane Polo remained a powerful major storm just offshore of Mexico’s southwestern coast, producing dangerous surf, heavy rain and localized flooding in towns such as Lázaro Cárdenas and Acapulco.
- Forecast models show Polo tracking along the coast then turning north, with many projections indicating a possible approach to Baja California or mainland Mexico early next week that could bring renewed tropical rain and mountain landslides.
- Tropical Storm Nolo strengthened into a hurricane late Thursday and is closing on Hawaii’s Big Island under hurricane watches with forecasters warning of 15 to 35 inches of rain in places and the potential for catastrophic flash flooding and mudslides.
- Officials have opened shelters and ordered evacuations in Mexico, deployed roughly 15,000 security personnel and reported building and coastal damage, while Hawaii closed schools, activated more than 230 National Guard members and urged residents to prepare emergency kits.
- Scientists and forecasters link the unusually active eastern and central Pacific season to El Niño and very warm ocean temperatures, which favor rapid storm intensification and could send tropical moisture into the U.S. Southwest, raising broader flood risks next week.