Hurricane Polo Regains Category 5 Strength, Aims at Mexico's Baja California

Hurricane Polo has regained the highest Category 5 rating as it churns off Mexico's Pacific coast, with forecasters expecting it to swing back and make landfall in Baja California Sur on Monday.

As of Saturday morning, the storm was centred roughly 425 miles south-west of Cabo Corrientes, a resort town on Mexico's Pacific shore. Maximum sustained winds were put at 160 mph, and the hurricane was tracking north-west at 10 mph.

Forecasters expect Polo to strike Baja California and then, about 24 hours later, make a second landfall along the coast of mainland north-western Mexico. That second hit could bring life-threatening flash flooding to parts of Baja California Sur, Sinaloa, Sonora and Chihuahua.

Hurricane conditions are possible from Monday afternoon between Punta Eugenia and Santa Fe in Baja California.

Rainfall of 4 to 8 inches is forecast across parts of Baja California Sur, with isolated totals of up to 10 inches. That could trigger life-threatening flooding and mudslides, along with dangerous surf, rip currents and coastal flooding.

Heavy rain and strong winds have already disrupted the region this week, forcing evacuations, shutting ports and prompting school cancellations. In San Jose del Cabo, police restricted access to a beach on Friday as the storm whipped up high waves and hazardous surf.