Hurricane Polo unleashes threatening winds as it approaches Mexico

Hurricane Polo is lashing the northern Pacific coast of Mexico with intense winds as it moves ashore with the threat of life-threatening flash floods.

The powerful category three storm, with maximum sustained winds near 115 mph (185 km/h), is expected to make landfall on Monday evening over the state of Baja California Sur, a region popular with tourists and home to the resort destination of Los Cabos.

Meteorologists at the US-based National Hurricane Center (NHC) have warned that life-threatening winds and flash foods had begun to hit portions of the region

Residents boarded up homes and businesses and stocked up on essentials such as drinking water and food as the storm approached.

The eye of the storm is expected to move inland along the coast of Baja California Sur on Monday evening, and then move inland into southern Sonora on Tuesday morning, according to NHC.

“Conditions will deteriorate quickly”, the US weather agency warned, urging residents to seek safe shelter.

Forecasters also warned of the intense storm surge the hurricane could unleash, which could be accompanied by large and destructive waves.

Heavy rains could also lead to life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in areas of steep terrain.

The hurricane centre said even after Polo dissipates, its remnants could produce strong gusty winds in southern New Mexico and western Texas.

In Cabo San Lucas, famous for its natural rock arch, authorities restricted access to the beaches. Some restaurants also closed in the town, which acts as a base for sport fishers and whale watchers.

Laura Velázquez, national coordinator of Mexico’s Civil Protection Agency, said that travel will be halted in the area where the hurricane is expected to make landfall and ports will be closed.

Dangerous surf and rip currents are likely along portions of the northwestern coast of Mexico and Baja California for the next day or so, meteorologists said.