MEXICO CITY, Sept. 23, 2026 — The outer rainbands of Hurricane Polo reached Mexico’s Pacific coast on Wednesday, bringing the threat of life-threatening flooding and mudslides, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center.

Polo was forecast to remain offshore, but its core was expected to stay close to the coast of southwestern Mexico over the following one to two days, producing periods of heavy rainfall.

The states of Guerrero and Michoacan could receive between 3 and 8 inches (8 to 20 cm) of rain through Thursday, the National Hurricane Center said. The rainfall could trigger dangerous flooding and mudslides in the two states, while also affecting coastal areas of Oaxaca, Colima and Jalisco.

Polo had earlier reached Category 5 strength before weakening slightly to a Category 4 hurricane. The storm was packing maximum sustained winds of about 155 mph (250 km/h), with stronger gusts.

Despite fluctuations in intensity, the National Hurricane Center said Polo was expected to remain a very powerful major hurricane over the next several days.

Mexican authorities were increasing preparedness and prevention measures along the Pacific coast as the storm approached. The Security Ministry said command posts had been activated in Michoacan, Colima, Jalisco and Guerrero.

Authorities were coordinating risk assessments, inspections and preparations for temporary shelters, while also making plans for preventive evacuations if weather conditions deteriorated.

Officials urged communities in affected areas to remain alert as heavy rainfall, flooding and mudslides posed significant risks even though the hurricane’s forecast track kept its core offshore.

SOURCE: Reuters, September 23, 2026.