Hurricane onslaught threatens catastrophic flooding from Mexico to Hawaii

Hurricane Polo bore down on Mexico's Baja California peninsula on Monday, threatening storm surges, high winds, and heavy rainfall, while Hurricane Nolo triggered heavy rain across parts of Hawaii even as it moved away from the islands.By Sunday evening, Polo had strengthened into a Category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph (205 kph), the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami reported. The storm was expected to lash the peninsula overnight, bringing the danger of flooding and mudslides.Nolo was situated far southwest of Hawaii, pulling away from the Big Island by Sunday evening. However, high-wind warnings, wind advisories, and high-surf advisories remained active across parts of the island. Nolo’s top sustained winds reached nearly 105 mph (165 kph).Chase Gabin fishes among the rocks as Hurricane Nolo sits nearby Friday, Sept. 25, 2026, in Hilo, Hawaii (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)In Puerto San Carlos, a fishing community of around 5,700 people on Mexico’s Baja California peninsula, residents spent Sunday boarding up homes while workers moved dirt and debris to bolster protective earthworks. Authorities warned that 90% of the town was vulnerable to flooding.Locals feared pounding waves and high tides could break through the temporary dikes and flood homes with ocean water. Several families prepared to evacuate to emergency shelters in Ciudad Constitucion, located roughly 37 miles (60 kilometers) away."Civil Protection told those of us here in San Carlos to evacuate because this is a high-risk area. With the current tides, the expected waves and the wind, the earthen barriers they built (to prevent flooding) could give way. They said they wouldn’t hold," Rocío Sánchez, a fisherman, said.Forecasters indicated Polo would move across Baja California before striking the Mexican mainland, potentially carrying heavy rain and flooding into the U.S. Southwest later in the week. Moving north at 12 mph (19 kph), Polo was located about 270 miles (435 kilometers) west of Cabo San Lucas at the peninsula’s tip, the hurricane center said.A man rides with his son near where a home was destroyed during last month's Hurricane Lala, as floodwaters from Hurricane Nolo recedes Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, in Naalehu, Hawaii (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)It's been a busy season for Pacific stormsThe Pacific has seen unusually intense storm activity, according to National Weather Service lead forecaster Bob Oravec, with activity running above typical levels during the peak hurricane season. He explained the trend fits El Niño patterns, which regularly promote tropical storm and hurricane formation across the region.As Polo edged closer to Mexico, the Mexican navy announced it had assembled response personnel and humanitarian supplies in the Pacific ports of Guaymas and Mazatlan, deploying three vessels capable of reaching coastal communities isolated by storm damage.Directly in the storm's path lies San Juanico, a small fishing village on Baja’s Pacific coast. Having gained full-time electricity only recently, the town still experiences frequent power cuts, raising concerns that flooded roads could block emergency access to medical care."Our people are concerned about this event," said Gloriely Robles Meza, a manager at a small hotel. "We haven’t faced such a worrying situation in many years."Kenzielynn Kekoa, center, of Hilo, Hawaii, helps her family fill sand bags as Hurricane Nolo approaches in Hilo (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)Robles Meza noted Sunday that military troops had arrived in San Juanico to establish a shelter and assist with potential emergency responses.On Sunday, Tropical Storm Rachel also developed far off Mexico's southwestern coast. The hurricane center reported Rachel had maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 kph) and was positioned about 300 miles (485 kilometers) south of Acapulco, with no coastal warnings in effect.In Hawaii, floods and mudslides are still a riskForecasters warned Nolo’s outer rainbands could cause severe flooding and landslides, with areas of the Big Island facing up to 20 inches (50 centimeters) of rainfall. Heavy rain was also projected for neighboring islands.Kawika Ige fishes as Hurricane Nolo sits nearby Friday, Sept. 25, 2026, in Hilo (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)Over 120 National Guard members were deployed from roughly 400 activated statewide after the governor declared an emergency. President Donald Trump recently approved federal disaster relief, enabling the Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate support and provide funds.Residents across Hawaii are still recovering from Hurricane Lala, which brought heavy rain and winds strong enough to push roughly 100 homes off their foundations on the Big Island.