Hurricane Polo makes landfall in Baja California with forecast of 'life-threatening' winds

Hurricane Polo made landfall in the southern half of Mexico's Baja California peninsula in the early hours of Tuesday with gusts of up to 200 km/h (125 mph). Hurricane Polo made landfall early Tuesday in the Mexican state of Baja California with flash flooding and winds described by forecasters as “life-threatening.” PUERTO SAN CARLOS, Mexico (AP) — Hurricane Polo made landfall early Tuesday in the Mexican state of Baja California with flash flooding and winds described by forecasters as “life-threatening.” The Category 2 hurricane struck land just south of Las Barrancas, Mexico, about 80 miles (130 kilometers) north of Cabo San Lazaro and about 70 miles (115 kilometers) south of Mulege with maximum sustained winds of 110 mph (175 kph) while moving northeast at 13 mph (20 kph), the U.S.

National Hurricane Center in Miami said. On Monday, Polo was a Category 3 storm with top sustained winds of 115 mph (185 kph), the hurricane center said. It was expected to produce 6-12 inches (about 15 to 30 centimeters) of rain across parts of Baja California Sur.

Forecasters had predicted Polo would hit the Mexican mainland with life-threatening winds and flash floods expected. It could bring heavy rain and flooding to parts of the U.S. Meanwhile, the hurricane center reported Tropical Storm Rachel was moving parallel to Mexico’s coast early Tuesday.

The storm was about 300 miles (485 kilometers) west-southwest of Acapulco and about 315 miles (505 kilometers) south of Manzanillo with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 kph) while moving west-northwest at 12 mph (19 kph). Hurricane Nolo was still a major hurricane on Monday night, but was edging away from Hawaii. Baja California peninsula was preparing for Polo The government of the northern Mexican state of Sonora on Monday night announced it would suspend all “nonessential” activities, including school, sports and non-essential work in the state capital and more than a dozen municipalities.

The Mexican navy said it had personnel ready across the northern Pacific coast and deployed three vessels that could ship aid to coastal communities isolated by Polo. Local authorities along the Baja California Peninsula said they had shelters ready, while travel will be suspended in the area and ports across the region will be closed. Pacific storm activity greater than normal this season Pacific storm activity has been above average during what is already the peak of hurricane season, according to National Weather Service lead forecaster Bob Oravec.

He said that pattern is consistent with El Niño years, when the Pacific often sees more tropical storms and hurricanes. The impact was expected to stretch into the U.S.… National Hurricane Center in Miami said.On Monday, Polo was a Category 3 storm with top sustained winds of 115 mph (185 kph), the hurricane center said.