Puerto San Carlos: Floodwaters began spilling into streets in Baja California Sur on Monday as Hurricane Polo moved toward the peninsula, forcing residents to reinforce homes and evacuate as the storm threatened destructive winds, flooding and mudslides.
In Puerto San Carlos, a fishing town of about 5,700 people, high tides and pounding waves were already breaching barriers built to keep seawater out. Hundreds of residents evacuated to shelters in schools and other buildings as authorities warned that the barriers could give way.
“Civil Protection told those of us here in San Carlos to evacuate because this is a high-risk area,” fisherwoman Rocío Sánchez said, citing the rising tides, expected waves, and strong winds.
Polo was a Category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph (185 kph) on Monday, according to the US National Hurricane Center. Forecasters warned of life-threatening winds and flash flooding as the storm approached Baja California Sur before moving toward mainland Mexico.
Mexican authorities had urged residents to stay indoors and seek shelter if their homes were at risk. Ports were closed and travel was suspended in areas expected to be affected, while the Mexican navy deployed personnel and vessels to assist coastal communities.
The storm was expected to weaken as it moved across northern Mexico, but its remnants could bring heavy rain to parts of the US Southwest later in the week.
Arizona, Utah, New Mexico and Texas were forecast to receive several inches of rain, raising the risk of flash flooding in areas already saturated by recent storms.
Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Rachel was developing off Mexico’s southwestern coast, while Tropical Storm Nolo was moving away from Hawaii after bringing heavy rain, flooding and mudslides to parts of the Big Island.
In Hawaii, more than 10,000 households and businesses remained without power on Maui on Monday following storm-related damage. Authorities continued to assess the impact as Nolo moved west away from the main islands.
(With agency inputs from AP via PTI and Reuters)