Hurricane Polo is threatening to bring days of heavy rain and flash flooding to the American Southwest, prompting flood alerts across Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas and Utah.
The Category 3 hurricane had sustained winds of 115 mph as it approached Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula, according to the Daily Mail. Polo is expected to weaken after making landfall, but its tropical moisture could continue moving across the United States throughout the week.
The National Weather Service said repeated thunderstorms could produce as much as 4 inches of rain in portions of the Southwest.
“High rainfall rates and repeated rounds of rain up to 4 inches may result in instances of flash flooding,” the agency said.
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Rainfall from previous storms has already saturated the ground in some areas, increasing the risk of flooding through Wednesday morning.
Albuquerque, Los Alamos and Santa Fe, New Mexico, could receive up to 3 inches of rain. Isolated areas around El Paso, Texas, could see totals reach 4 inches.
Before reaching the United States, Polo is expected to bring dangerous conditions to Baja California Sur and parts of Sonora. Communities could experience damaging winds, flooding, mudslides, large waves, power outages and travel disruptions.
“This rainfall may produce life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in areas of steep terrain,” the National Hurricane Center warned.
A separate storm moving across the Rockies and Great Basin is expected to pull Polo’s remaining moisture northward. That combination could spread showers and thunderstorms into the Plains, Midwest and Great Lakes region.
Forecasters said the rain could provide some relief to drought-stricken communities, but dangerous flash flooding remains possible.
Residents should monitor local weather alerts, prepare for power and travel disruptions and never attempt to drive through flooded roads. Let us also pray for the protection of everyone in Polo’s path and for the first responders preparing to serve affected communities.
James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a journalism background from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and at the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man’s Commentary and a contributor to Charisma magazine. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact [email protected].
