Pacific Hurricane Polo Is Now a Dangerous Category 5 Off Mexico

Hurricane Polo has become a dangerous Category 5 storm as it skirts Mexico’s southwest coast, and is expected to bring heavy rain across the region, the US National Hurricane Center said.

Polo is forecast to remain just offshore, sparing the country’s coastline another direct strike by a storm at the top of the five-step Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale. However, strong winds and as much as 8 inches (20 centimeters) of rain are forecast for parts of the states of Guerrero and Michoacan. Isolated areas could get up to 12 inches of rain.

“This rainfall may produce life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially for areas of steep terrain,” said John Cangialosi, a senior hurricane specialist at the National Hurricane Center. “The cyclone is forecast to reach Category 5 strength later today.”

In October, 2023, compact Hurricane Otis struck Acapulco as a Category 5 storm killing at least 52 people and causing some $20 billion in damage. Mexico’s west coast is often pummeled by the destructive storms during the course of the season which begins on May 15 and ends Nov. 30.

Polo was about 360 miles (580 kilometers) south-southeast of the port city of Manzanillo, Mexico, with top winds of 160 miles per hour, the hurricane center said in its latest advisory. The storm may grow even stronger as it stays off shore.

Polo is a relatively compact hurricane – its strongest winds only reach 35 miles from its center.