HURRICANE POLO STRIKES MEXICO BEFORE WEAKENING TO TROPICAL STORM

Hurricane Polo struck Mexico this week, bringing flooding and damage before rapidly losing strength. Accounts of its landfall differ: one report described Polo coming ashore as a Category 3 storm, while the US National Hurricane Centre said it made its first landfall in Baja California Sur, near Las Barrancas, as a Category 2 hurricane with winds of 96 to 110 mph. The storm then made a second landfall on Mexico's mainland as a Category 1 hurricane on Tuesday afternoon. By Tuesday evening, the National Hurricane Centre downgraded Polo to a tropical storm with winds of 45 mph. Footage showed submerged streets, fallen branches and damaged roofs in affected areas. The National Hurricane Centre, however, reported no immediate reports of heavy damage or injuries.

At its 5pm MST update, the National Hurricane Centre placed the storm about 200 miles northeast of Guaymas, Mexico, moving northeast at roughly 21mph with no storm watches or warnings in effect, and said it was expected to dissipate within hours. Polo is the latest major storm to hit Mexico during what has been described as an active hurricane season. Its remnants were expected to merge with an existing low-pressure system and carry additional moisture into the western United States. University of Arizona meteorologist Michael Crimmins said such mergers typically occur as summer turns to autumn and account for most of the region's widespread heavy rain events. He said the low-pressure system provides the mechanics for long-lasting lines of storms, while the tropical storm supplies the moisture.

US officials warned on Tuesday of possible life-threatening flooding as Polo's remnants moved north, with more than 30 million people across roughly a dozen states placed under flood watches. In Mexico, residents in affected areas were seen clearing debris and fallen branches from their properties following the storm. No further updates on casualties or damage assessments were reported at the time.