Hurricane Polo fuels landslide fears as it nears Mexico

Southwestern Mexico on Wednesday braced for heavy rain and mudslides after Polo, a powerful Pacific cyclone, became a major hurricane. Forecasters also warned another system headed for Hawaii could cause catastrophic flooding later in the week.

Hurricane Polo, an “extremely dangerous” storm, is expected to skirt Mexico’s Guerrero state, submerging coastal areas with 10cm to 15cm of rain through yesterday, the US National Hurricane Center said.

Guerrero has been repeatedly pummeled by hurricanes in the past few years.

People place sandbags as a protective barrier against strong waves generated by Hurricane Polo at Playa Azul in Lazaro Cardenas, Mexico, on Wednesday.

Photo: AFP

Farther out in the Pacific, Tropical Storm Nolo was churning about 475km south of South Point, Hawaii. The storm was forecast to become a hurricane by last night and expected to approach the Big Island as early as today.

Hawaiian Governor Josh Green’s office said public schools and state and county offices on the Big Island would close yesterday and today, while Maui County would shutter them today ahead of the threat of heavy rain, winds and flooding.

Forecasters said the storm could drop up to 51cmof rain.

Concepcion Lopez Villegas was busily bolstering her seaside restaurant in Lazaro Cardenas, Michoacan, against the expected onslaught of rain.

Strong waves were already hitting some beaches and Lopez Villegas said she feared the storm could destroy the small business she worked decades to build.

“We’re worried and trying to protect our businesses,” she said. “And of course, we’re sad because it’s our heritage, our legacy that from one moment to another could be destroyed.”

Guerrero state was particularly at risk of life-threatening flooding and mudslides, the hurricane center said.

In the resort town Acapulco, rough surf pounded the shoreline, rain swept across the bay and strong winds bent palm trees. Merchants reinforced stall roofs as boats remained anchored in the bay.

“As they gave us a warning yesterday, I started getting my documents in order and half-packed my things, just in case,” local resident Andrea Tenorio said.

A nearby elementary school had been opened as a temporary shelter, she said.

Asked whether she was afraid, Tenorio said memories of Hurricane Otis still haunted residents.

“With Otis, we were left with trauma,” she said. “We haven’t been able to overcome it.”

Hurricane Otis slammed into Acapulco in October 2023 as a Category 5 storm, killing dozens and flattening the coastal town.