Hurricane Polo has 180 mph winds near Mexico

Hurricane Polo is a Category 5 storm off southwestern Mexico. A later update from the National Hurricane Center said its strongest steady winds were 180 mph (290 kph). An earlier Tuesday report put them near 165 mph (270 kph). Category 5 is the highest storm level. It is for storms with winds over 157 mph (253 kph), so Polo is extremely strong.

At midday, Polo was almost still over the Pacific, about 210 miles (338 kilometers) south of Zihuatanejo. Forecasters expect it to move west-northwest in the next few days, close to the coast but still over water. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said it was not likely to hit land. She asked people on the Pacific coast to “remain very vigilant,” or stay very careful.

Even without a land hit, Polo can bring danger. Forecasters expect 3 to 6 inches (8 to 15 centimeters) of rain in Guerrero and Michoacán. This rain can cause floods and mudslides. Strong winds and rough waves are also expected. Mexico’s Navy closed ports in Guerrero and Michoacán as a safety step, and officials stopped classes in some coastal areas. The storm matters because it can hurt people through rain and dangerous water even if its center stays at sea.