Hurricane Polo Threatens Baja California; Nolo Moves Away From Hawaii

Residents of Mexico's Baja California peninsula are preparing for the arrival of major Hurricane Polo, forecast to make landfall as a Category 3 storm. Forecasters anticipate significant rainfall, potential for life-threatening flooding, and mudslides as Polo bears down on the region. The storm was packing maximum sustained winds of 125 mph (205 kph) on Sunday evening, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center.

Polo is expected to cross the peninsula and then impact parts of the U.S. Southwest later in the week with heavy rain and flooding. The storm was moving north at 12 mph (19 kph) approximately 270 miles west of Cabo San Lucas, the peninsula's southern tip.

Meanwhile, Hurricane Nolo, located southwest of Hawaii, was moving away from the Big Island. However, a high-wind warning, wind advisory, and high surf advisory remained in effect for parts of the island through Sunday evening. Nolo's maximum sustained winds had increased to near 105 mph (165 kph).

Outer bands from Nolo could still bring life-threatening flooding and mudslides to the Big Island, with some areas potentially receiving up to 20 inches of rain. Heavy rainfall was also anticipated across the other Hawaiian Islands. Over 120 National Guard members have been activated in Hawaii as part of a broader statewide effort of approximately 400 personnel, following an emergency proclamation by the governor. President Donald Trump has approved an emergency declaration, authorizing the Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate assistance and provide funding.

Hawaii is still assessing damage from Hurricane Lala, which caused significant destruction on the Big Island, including sweeping about 100 homes from their foundations due to heavy rain and strong winds. Peggy McKibbin, a resident of Naalehu on the Big Island's southern point, described the lingering damage from Lala, with a local bakery, fire station, and hardware store among the businesses wiped out.

Federal forecasters have noted that the Pacific hurricane season has been unusually active, with storm activity running above average. This pattern is consistent with El Niño years, which typically see an increase in tropical storms and hurricanes in the Pacific.

In anticipation of Polo's arrival, the Mexican navy has positioned personnel and humanitarian aid in the ports of Guaymas and Mazatlan, deploying vessels to potentially assist coastal communities that could be isolated by the storm. San Juanico, a small fishing community in the storm's projected path on Baja's Pacific coast, is particularly vulnerable. Residents express concern, noting that recent infrastructure improvements, including electricity, are still limited, and washed-out roads could impede access to the nearest medical facility. Army soldiers have arrived in San Juanico to prepare a shelter and offer support for potential emergencies.

Separately, Tropical Storm Rachel formed well off Mexico's southwest coast, with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 kph). It was located about 300 miles south of Acapulco, with no coastal watches or warnings currently in effect.