Hurricane Polo Batters Mexico Coast as Tropical Storm Nolo Threatens Hawaii

Powerful Hurricane Polo drenched Mexico’s Pacific coast with heavy rain and dangerous surf on Thursday, while Tropical Storm Nolo strengthened south of Hawaii and threatened to bring hurricane-force winds, torrential rain and potentially life-threatening flooding to the islands. The two systems were among several active tropical cyclones across the Pacific.

Polo, which had rapidly intensified to Category 5 strength earlier in the week, fluctuated between Category 4 and Category 5 before weakening somewhat. Its strongest winds remained offshore, but its outer bands were affecting Mexico’s southwestern coast with heavy rainfall and powerful waves. Hurricane Polo Becomes Category 5 Storm Near Mexico With 175 MPH Winds, One of Pacific’s Strongest in Decades.

Hurricane Polo Brings Heavy Rain to Mexico

The US National Hurricane Center said Polo was about 155 miles (245 km) south-southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico, on Thursday afternoon, with maximum sustained winds of around 150 mph (240 km/h). It was moving west-northwest at about 10 mph (17 km/h).

Although the hurricane’s core was expected to remain offshore, forecasters warned that heavy rainfall could cause life-threatening flooding and landslides, particularly in mountainous areas. Guerrero and Michoacán faced some of the greatest risks. Coastal communities reported strong waves and flooding, while residents and businesses used sandbags and other measures to limit the impact of seawater and rain.

Mexican authorities opened shelters, evacuated people from vulnerable locations and suspended classes in some areas. Around 15,000 security personnel were deployed along the affected coastline as part of preparations for the storm.

Polo Weakens After Reaching Category 5 Strength

Polo underwent an unusually rapid intensification earlier this week, briefly reaching Category 5 status, the highest level on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. The hurricane later fluctuated in strength. The National Hurricane Center said on Thursday that gradual weakening was expected from Friday night into Saturday as Polo moved farther away from southwestern Mexico. The storm's rapid strengthening was particularly notable because its maximum sustained winds increased dramatically within a short period. Polo became one of the strongest hurricanes observed in the eastern Pacific during the 2026 season.

Tropical Storm Nolo Strengthens Near Hawaii

Farther west, Tropical Storm Nolo was strengthening south of Hawaii’s Big Island. The National Hurricane Center said Nolo had maximum sustained winds of about 70 mph (110 km/h) and was located roughly 285 miles (455 km) south of South Point, Hawaii, on Thursday. The system was moving slowly northward. Forecasters expected Nolo to strengthen into a hurricane and potentially become a major hurricane over the weekend. A hurricane watch and tropical storm warning were issued for Hawaii County, while tropical storm watches extended to parts of Maui County.

Hawaii Braces for Heavy Rain and Flooding

Rainfall and flooding were emerging as the main concerns for Hawaii. Forecasts called for potentially more than 20 inches (50 cm) of rain across parts of the Big Island, with locally higher totals possible. Maui was also at risk of significant rainfall, flooding and landslides. Officials urged residents to prepare emergency supplies, secure property and monitor updated forecasts. Schools and some government offices on the Big Island were also closed as authorities prepared for the storm’s approach. The National Weather Service warned that saturated ground and mountainous terrain could worsen the flooding and landslide threat, particularly on the Big Island and Maui.

Multiple Storms Active Across the Pacific

Polo and Nolo were part of an unusually active period in the Pacific, with Hurricane Odalys also tracking over open waters. Forecasters have linked the heightened Pacific activity in part to the prevailing El Niño pattern, which can influence tropical cyclone development and atmospheric conditions across the basin. For Mexico, attention remained focused on rainfall, flooding and landslides as Polo moved offshore. In Hawaii, authorities were preparing for Nolo's expected strengthening and its potential close approach to the islands over the weekend.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 25, 2026 08:09 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).