Hurricane Polo Hits Baja California Sur as Rachel Tracks Offshore and Nolo Pulls Away from Hawaii

Hurricane Polo Hits Baja California Sur as Rachel Tracks Offshore and Nolo Pulls Away from Hawaii

Hurricane Polo came ashore early Tuesday in Mexico’s Baja California Sur. The US National Hurricane Center in Miami classified the landfall as a Category 2 storm. Maximum sustained winds were given as 110 mph (175 kph). Forecasters warned of flash floods and dangerous winds.

The center crossed the west coast just south of Las Barrancas. That point is about 80 miles (130 kilometres) north of Cabo San Lazaro and about 70 miles (115 kilometres) south of Mulege. Polo was moving northeast at 13 mph (20 kph). On Monday it had been a Category 3 storm with top sustained winds of 115 mph (185 kph). After a few hours over land, winds began to ease.

Rain totals of 6 to 12 inches were expected across parts of Baja California Sur. Flood risk was also forecast later in the week for parts of the US Southwest. Local officials said shelters were ready. Travel in the affected zone was to be suspended. Ports across the region were closed. The Mexican navy said crews were on standby along the northern Pacific coast and had sent three vessels that could carry aid if communities were cut off.

Sonora announced further precautions on Monday night. Nonessential activity, including school, sports, and non-essential work, was suspended in the state capital and more than a dozen municipalities.

Tropical Storm Rachel was moving parallel to Mexico’s coast early Tuesday. It was about 300 miles (485 kilometres) west-southwest of Acapulco and about 315 miles (505 kilometres) south of Manzanillo. Maximum sustained winds were 60 mph (95 kph). Motion was west-northwest at 12 mph (19 kph).

Hurricane Nolo remained a major hurricane on Monday night but was turning away from Hawaii. It was about 425 miles (685 kilometres) west-southwest of Honolulu and about 330 miles (535 kilometres) south-southeast of French Frigate Shoals. Maximum sustained winds were 120 mph (195 kph), with a north-northwest heading at 15 mph (24 kph). Over the weekend Nolo soaked south and southeastern parts of Hawaii’s Big Island. The US National Guard said members rescued 19 people from floodwaters. The hurricane center said Nolo was approaching the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument and could bring harsh marine conditions there from Tuesday.

National Weather Service lead forecaster Bob Oravec said Pacific storm activity has been above average at the peak of the season. He linked that pattern to El Niño years, when the Pacific often produces more tropical storms and hurricanes. Moisture from Polo was expected to reach Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, and Texas. Andrew Mangham, senior service hydrologist for the National Weather Service in Albuquerque, said arid canyons and rocky ground with little vegetation flood quickly when tropical rain arrives in a short burst.

Polo’s landfall, Rachel’s offshore track, and Nolo’s path near Hawaii marked an unusually busy stretch across the Pacific. Residents in Baja California Sur were told to stay in safe shelter through Tuesday morning as the core moved toward mainland Mexico.