Hurricane Polo brought torrential rain, powerful waves and damaging winds to Mexico’s Pacific coast on Tuesday, as dramatic videos captured flooded streets and battered buildings.
The storm first made landfall at about 11 p.m. Monday local time on the western coast of Baja California Sur, just south of the small town of Las Barrancas, the National Hurricane Center said.
Polo was likely a Category 2 hurricane when it reached land, with maximum sustained winds estimated at 90 to 95 knots—about 105 to 110 mph.
The hurricane weakened somewhat after moving inland early Tuesday but continued to produce hurricane-force winds.
At 5 a.m. MST, Polo had maximum sustained winds of 75 mph, along with stronger gusts, and was located roughly 65 miles north-northwest of Loreto, according to the NHC.
Hurricane-force winds extended up to 30 miles from the storm’s center, while tropical-storm-force winds reached as far as 90 miles.
Video shared by ABC Eyewitness News showed enormous waves crashing into a hotel restaurant in Playa Azul as Polo struck Mexico’s Pacific coastline.
Additional footage showed heavy surf battering coastal communities and floodwaters surging through streets, apparently pushing or shifting vehicles.
The NHC cautioned that Polo’s intense rainfall could cause life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in mountainous areas.
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Rainfall totals of 6 to 12 inches were forecast for parts of Baja California Sur. Southern and central Sonora could receive another 4 to 6 inches, with isolated amounts reaching 8 inches.
Early Tuesday, Polo was moving northeast at approximately 10 mph and was expected to accelerate considerably while crossing the Gulf of California.
Forecasters expected the hurricane to make a second landfall over southern Sonora late Tuesday morning, bringing hurricane conditions to parts of mainland Mexico.
The NHC said Polo could remain a hurricane as it reaches Sonora, though the storm is expected to weaken rapidly after moving inland across the rugged terrain of northwestern Mexico.
A hurricane warning covered parts of Baja California Sur and mainland Mexico, including the stretch from Bahia Kino to Huatabampito.
Polo was also expected to generate dangerous storm surge and large, destructive waves along exposed coastlines.
The storm could continue to create hazards farther north even after it dissipates.
According to the NHC, moisture linked to Polo could fuel heavy rain, flash flooding and strong wind gusts across the southwestern United States and southern Plains, including southern New Mexico and far western Texas.
Forecasters expected Polo to weaken into a post-tropical system by Wednesday before dissipating later that day.
The NHC warned that dangerous surf and rip currents would persist along parts of northwestern Mexico and Baja California for at least another day.
