Hurricane Polo battered Mexico’s Pacific coast with heavy rain on Thursday as Tropical Storm Nolo approached Hawaii.
Polo remained a powerful major hurricane offshore. Its outer rainbands were already bringing intense rainfall to southwestern Mexico.
The storm had shifted between Category 4 and Category 5 strength. Forecasters warned that heavy rain could trigger life-threatening floods and mudslides.
Mexican authorities opened shelters and evacuated people from some high-risk coastal areas. Residents also used sandbags to protect homes and businesses.
Polo Threatens Flooding and Mudslides
Polo was located about 195 miles west-southwest of Zihuatanejo early Thursday.
The National Hurricane Center said the storm was beginning to move away from southwestern Mexico. However, dangerous rainfall remained a major concern.
The greatest risk extended across parts of Guerrero and Michoacán. These areas include mountainous terrain where heavy rain can quickly cause flooding and landslides.
Mexican authorities deployed thousands of security personnel along the coast. Officials also suspended classes in affected areas as a precaution.
The region remains sensitive to major storms after Hurricane Otis devastated Acapulco in 2023.
Tropical Storm Nolo Targets Hawaii
Farther west, Tropical Storm Nolo strengthened south of Hawaii’s Big Island.
The National Hurricane Center said Nolo had maximum sustained winds of about 60 mph on Thursday morning. Forecasters expected the system to become a hurricane later in the day.
A hurricane watch remained in effect for Hawaii County.
Heavy rainfall could become the biggest danger. Forecasters warned that the Big Island could receive 15 to 20 inches of rain, with locally higher totals possible.
The intense rainfall could produce dangerous flash flooding, especially in areas already affected by recent storms.
Hawaii officials urged residents to prepare emergency supplies. The governor also issued an emergency proclamation and activated more than 230 National Guard members.
Hawaii Prepares for Major Flooding
Officials were particularly concerned about saturated ground across parts of the Big Island.
Additional rainfall could therefore increase the risk of flash floods and mudslides.
Hawaiian Electric also prepared crews to respond to possible power outages. Teams that had helped restore electricity after earlier storms were repositioned ahead of Nolo.
Schools on the Big Island were closed for the remainder of the week as officials prepared for worsening conditions.
El Niño Fuels Pacific Storm Activity
The two storms are developing during an unusually active period in the Pacific.
Forecasters have linked the broader weather pattern to El Niño, which can suppress Atlantic hurricane activity while supporting tropical cyclone development in the Pacific.
Meanwhile, Hurricane Odalys remained far west of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula. Tropical Storm Fay also re-formed in the Atlantic but remained far from land.
As Polo and Nolo continue to move across the Pacific, authorities in Mexico and Hawaii remain focused on flooding, landslides and other storm-related dangers.
