Hurricane Polo makes landfall in Baja California with forecast of
'life-threatening' winds
[September 29, 2026]
By MARTÍN SILVA REY and MEGAN JANETSKY
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. Southwest later in the week.
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.
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People evacuate their homes as Hurricane Polo approaches Puerto San
Carlos, Baja California Sur state, Mexico, Monday, Sept. 28, 2026.
(AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)
The impact was expected to stretch into the U.S. Southwest, with
Arizona, Utah, New Mexico and Texas receiving inches of rain. Arid
canyons and rocky expanses with little vegetation are conducive to
flash flooding and the tropical weather adds more risk, said Andrew
Mangham, senior service hydrologist for the National Weather Service
in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
“We’re getting caught up here in a very, very short time,” Mangham
said. “And that’s not really what we want. We want nice rains, you
know, all summer long.”
Floods and mudslides remain a risk in Hawaii
Hurricane Nolo on Monday had moved to about 425 miles (685
kilometers) west-southwest of Honolulu. The storm was about 330
miles (535 kilometers) south-southeast of French Frigate Shoals with
maximum sustained winds of 120 mph (195 kph) moving north-northwest
at 15 mph (24 kph).
Nolo drenched communities in south and southeastern parts of
Hawaii's Big Island over the weekend. Hawaii National Guard members
rescued 19 people from flooding over the weekend, the U.S. National
Guard said in a post on Facebook.
The hurricane was approaching Papahanaumokuakea Marine National
Monument, a marine conservation area, according to the hurricane
center, which said the storm could bring dangerous conditions to the
area starting Tuesday.
___
Janetsky reported from Mexico City. Eduardo Verdugo in Puerto San
Carlos, Mexico, Julie Walker in New York, Mead Gruver in Fort
Collins, Colorado, and Eugene Garcia and Gregory Bull in Hilo,
Hawaii, contributed to this report.
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