Polo Becomes Hurricane Off Mexico's Pacific Coast, Threatens Resorts

Polo strengthened into a hurricane off Mexico's Pacific coast on Monday and is expected to intensify rapidly into a major storm, forecasters said, posing a threat of flooding, dangerous surf and strong wind gusts to coastal states and popular beach resorts.

By mid-day local time, the storm was centered about 270 miles (435 km) south-southeast of the port city of Manzanillo and 190 miles (305 km) south-southwest of the tourist town of Zihuatanejo, with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph (130 km/h), according to the US National Hurricane Center.

Forecasters said Polo could reach major hurricane status by Tuesday and continue strengthening through midweek. Although its core is expected to stay offshore, the storm is likely to batter parts of southwestern Mexico with torrential rain and hazardous seas.

The hurricane center said coastal areas of Guerrero and Michoacan states could receive 4 to 8 inches (10 to 20 cm) of rain through Thursday, with isolated totals of up to 12 inches (30 cm). That raises the risk of life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in mountainous terrain.

Private forecaster AccuWeather said the storm's effects could reach tourist hubs including Acapulco, Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara. Southern Baja California Sur, including the Los Cabos area, could also experience rough surf and strong gusts later in the week.

AccuWeather also warned that tropical moisture from Mexico is expected to push north through the rest of the week, threatening flash floods in the US Southwest.