Category 5 Hurricane Polo to make landfall in Mexico as massive waves bash coastline
Mexico City, Mexico - Hurricane Polo rumbling off the Pacific coast of Mexico is expected to make landfall after all, US authorities said Friday.
The Category 5 hurricane causing damaging waves near the Mexican states of Jalisco and Michoacan is now forecast to move northeast, the National Hurricane Center said.
"A turn toward the northeast is expected on Monday," the NHC stated, adding that Polo is expected to approach Baja California Sur.
"Fluctuations in intensity are possible over the next 12 to 24 hours" and "weakening should begin by Saturday," it said.
The US embassy in Mexico expects Polo to make landfall as a Category 1 hurricane.
Projections show it swirling over the state of Baja California Sur at 11 PM on Monday.
Mexico's weather service meanwhile forecast torrential rain over the coming days.
The rainfall "could trigger landslides, rising river and stream levels, as well as overflows and flooding," a report stated.
Strong swells damaged beachside buildings in the port city of Lázaro Cárdenas during the week, with cracks running through facades and local businesses flooded.
Residents hurriedly stacked sandbags along the shoreline, but the waves overpowered the line of defense.
Some 20,000 Mexican troops have been deployed to areas in the eye of the storm.
Cover photo: ENRIQUE CASTRO / AFP