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Hurricane Polo Hits Category 5, Threatens Baja With 155-Mph Winds

By Drooid · Sep 25, 2026, 2:14 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Hurricane Polo Intensifies

Hurricane Polo reached Category 5 off Mexico’s Pacific coast, becoming one of the strongest storms recorded.
The storm rose from tropical storm to Category 5 in under 24 hours, a record-fast intensification.
Winds peaked at 180 mph with pressure at 982 mb, the second-lowest recorded.
Models show Polo turning northwest toward Baja California, with possible landfall late Sunday-Monday and 150-155 mph winds.
Twenty homes were evacuated as rain up to 8 inches was forecast.

Summary

Mexico Deploys Personnel

Mexico deployed 15,000 security personnel and opened shelters along the Pacific coast.
President Claudia Sheinbaum issued an emergency proclamation and urged residents to follow official warnings.
Hawaii Governor Josh Green activated more than 230 National Guard members and closed schools on the Big Island.
Hawaiian Electric redirected crews from Kauai to Oahu, Maui and the Big Island to ready power infrastructure.

History

Historical Context

During October 2015 Hurricane Patricia became the strongest tropical cyclone on record, with 215 mph winds and a 24-hour intensification of 95 mph. Mexico’s Navy evacuated about 8,500 people while the Red Cross had over 500 volunteers and roughly 25,000 military and police personnel prepared shelters. That experience underpins President Claudia Sheinbaum’s current large-scale mobilization against new Category 5 threats.

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Hurricane Polo Intensifies

Hurricane Polo reached Category 5 off Mexico’s Pacific coast, becoming one of the strongest storms recorded.
The storm rose from tropical storm to Category 5 in under 24 hours, a record-fast intensification.
Winds peaked at 180 mph with pressure at 982 mb, the second-lowest recorded.
Models show Polo turning northwest toward Baja California, with possible landfall late Sunday-Monday and 150-155 mph winds.
Twenty homes were evacuated as rain up to 8 inches was forecast.

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