Hurricane Polo threatens Mexico’s Pacific coast as millions brace for landfall

WASHINGTON — Mexico’s Pacific coast is preparing for the imminent landfall of Hurricane Polo, a storm that meteorologists classify as life‑threatening. The cyclone, moving westward at 15 km/h, is expected to make landfall on the state of Guerrero on Thursday, according to the National Hurricane Center’s latest advisory released on 28 September 2026.

Government alerts and evacuations

The federal civil protection agency raised the alert level to red for the municipalities of Acapulco, Zihuatanejo and surrounding coastal districts. Officials ordered the evacuation of roughly 120,000 residents from low‑lying neighborhoods and opened more than 150 emergency shelters in schools and community centers. The Mexican Navy deployed two amphibious vessels to assist with evacuations and to deliver relief supplies to isolated villages.

Infrastructure and transport measures

Port authorities in Acapulco and Lázaro Cárdenas suspended cargo operations and cancelled passenger ferry services until the storm passes. The Secretariat of Communications and Transportation issued a travel advisory urging motorists to avoid coastal highways and to seek alternative inland routes. Power companies pre‑positioned repair crews along the vulnerable grid to address potential outages caused by high winds and flooding.

Weather forecast and expected impacts

Hurricane Polo is producing sustained winds of 140 km/h with gusts up to 190 km/h, according to the latest forecast. Rainfall estimates range from 200 mm to 350 mm across the affected region, raising the risk of flash floods and landslides in the Sierra Madre del Sur foothills. Coastal flood‑plain maps show that storm surge could reach 3 m above normal tide levels, threatening beachfront properties and low‑lying infrastructure.

International response and aid

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) activated its regional hub in Mexico City to coordinate relief efforts. The Red Cross and Red Crescent societies have pledged to deliver food, water and medical kits to the shelters. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) announced a standby fund of $2 million to support emergency response operations if requested by the Mexican government.

Economic outlook

Analysts at Bloomberg noted that the storm could disrupt tourism revenue in Acapulco, a key economic driver for the state, by up to 15 % if the port remains closed for more than 48 hours. Agricultural output in the coastal valleys may also suffer losses as heavy rains threaten crops of coffee and tropical fruits.