The storm, now classified as a Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds near 155 mph (250 km/h) and higher gusts, had earlier peaked as a Category 5. The National Hurricane Center said Polo is expected to remain offshore but its core will linger close to the coast of southwestern Mexico for the next day or two, with intensity fluctuations likely.
Rainfall forecasts are alarming: the agency warned that the states of Guerrero and Michoacán could receive between three and eight inches (8‑20 cm) of rain through Thursday. The deluge is also expected to affect nearby coastlines in Oaxaca, Colima and Jalisco, raising the specter of flash flooding and landslides.
Officials said the heavy rain could trigger life‑threatening flooding and mudslides across the affected regions. The combination of steep terrain and saturated soils heightens the danger for communities situated along river valleys and low‑lying coastal areas.
Mexico’s government has activated emergency coordination along the Pacific coast. Command posts have been set up in Michoacán, Colima, Jalisco and Guerrero, where authorities are conducting risk‑assessment inspections, evaluating conditions, preparing temporary shelters and, if needed, carrying out preventive evacuations.
The response forms part of the nation’s DN‑III disaster‑relief plan, which mobilises the Army, Air Force and National Guard to support civil authorities during natural calamities. While the storm’s track remains offshore, officials stress that vigilance and preparedness remain essential as Polo is expected to stay a “very powerful major hurricane” over the coming days.