Hurricane Polo lashes Mexico as Nolo strengthens near Hawaii
This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.
Hurricane Polo battered Mexico's southwestern coast with 15-foot waves, while Hurricane Nolo strengthened near Hawaii and threatened the Big Island with up to 30 inches of rain. Mexican authorities deployed 15,000 security personnel and evacuated high-risk areas, and Hawaii's governor activated 230 National Guard members.
Key Facts
- Hurricane Polo fluctuated between Category 4 and 5 and was expected to regain Category 5 status on Friday, according to the US National Hurricane Center.
- Hawaii's Big Island could see 15 to 30 inches of rain through Saturday, with the heaviest rain expected over the same southeastern area hit by Hurricane Lala in August.
- Mexican authorities deployed 15,000 security personnel along the coast, suspended schools, and opened shelters.
- Hawaii's governor issued an emergency proclamation activating more than 230 National Guard members and closed schools for the rest of the week.
- In Lazaro Cardenas, Michoacan, seawater swept through homes and 15-foot waves severely damaged a restaurant, according to owner Alicia Contreras.
Hurricane Polo Impact
Hurricane Polo fluctuated between Category 4 and 5 as it moved along Mexico's coast, and the NHC said it was expected to regain Category 5 status on Friday. In the port city of Lazaro Cardenas, Michoacan, seawater swept through homes on Thursday, leaving wooden planks and furniture scattered across the streets. Restaurant owner Alicia Contreras said 15-foot waves had severely damaged her property, adding, "This is huge because we have no other source of income. Now we're just surviving." Mexican authorities deployed 15,000 security personnel along the coast, suspended schools, and opened shelters, evacuating people from high-risk areas, though officials have not said how many.
Hawaii Threat
Nolo became a hurricane on Thursday night, according to the US National Hurricane Center, and is expected to strengthen further as it turns towards Hawaii's Big Island. Forecasters warned the island could see 15 to 30 inches of rain, with higher totals possible through Saturday, while Maui could face life-threatening flooding. The heaviest rain is expected to fall over the same southeastern part of the Big Island hit by Hurricane Lala in August, where the ground remains saturated. John Bravender, a warning coordination meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Honolulu, said, "There are several communities that were isolated, flooded, roads that were washed out. It's that same area that is most under threat." Hawaii's governor issued an emergency proclamation activating more than 230 National Guard members, and schools have been closed for the rest of the week.
Preparations and Response
Hawaiian Electric, the state's main power utility, said crews restoring electricity on Kauai after Hurricane Lowell would move to Oahu, Maui, and the Big Island to prepare for Nolo. Hawaii has already been battered this year by major flooding in spring, an earthquake, and two other hurricanes since mid-August. Bravender said, "In my 20 years of experience here, I've never seen three hurricane watches for the islands in the same year."
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