Hurricane Polo Leaves Baja California Sur Homes Flooded as Residents Return

Residents of Puerto San Carlos in Mexico's Baja California Sur state returned to flooded and damaged homes on Tuesday after Hurricane Polo swept through the region with powerful winds and heavy rain.

Shopkeeper Elbia María Bachomo walked home with her children and showed how high the floodwaters had risen inside her property. She said the family had grabbed only bags of clothes before leaving.

"We didn't even have time to grab blankets or anything. I think the water came in while we were getting out," Bachomo said.

Elsewhere in the town, residents waded through flooded streets as a helicopter flew overhead. Clothes and bags were left piled on a mattress, and a pan of water stood on the ground.

Ezequiel Lares said he stayed behind during the storm because he feared that people might take advantage of the evacuation to steal from empty homes.

"I figured I could take shelter in one of the old cars over there," Lares said.

Powerful winds uprooted trees, including one that came down alongside Nayeli López's home. She described hearing a loud crash and initially believing the tree had struck parked cars.

"It just knocked out my front window and landed right up against the wall, with the leaves on top. It cracked the wall inside and broke it open," López said.

Polo made landfall early Tuesday as a Category 2 hurricane just south of Las Barrancas, with maximum sustained winds of 110 mph (175 kph). Mexican authorities reported no serious damage or loss of life.

About 700 people remained in shelters on Tuesday but were expected to return home, federal authorities said. Polo weakened to a Category 1 hurricane as it crossed the Gulf of California, though forecasters warned it could still bring 6 to 12 inches (15 to 30 centimeters) of rain to parts of Baja California Sur.