Hurricane Polo is approaching Mexico and threatens to cause 'devastating damage'

Tension is at its peak. Experts estimate that Hurricane Polo will make landfall this Monday in a small Mexican town on the Pacific coast, where authorities are anticipating torrential rains, strong waves and severe damage.

The situation is dramatic and a source of great concern, as only a handful of homes and businesses in Puerto San Carlos had even wooden planks to protect their doors and windows the day before. "Let's hope it doesn't hit that hard," Marta Maldonado, a 62-year-old waitress at a beachfront restaurant with no protection whatsoever, told AFP. "They'll definitely put up boards tomorrow." It may be too late, authorities warned.

This small fishing port with nearly 6,000 residents lies in the path of Polo, which is moving as a Category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. With that strength, it is expected to make landfall around noon local time, although strong winds will already be felt by morning.

A dramatic change in direction

Initially, forecasts ruled out Polo making landfall, but its path shifted toward the state of Baja California Sur, where Puerto San Carlos is located. The forecast now indicates it will continue on toward the Mexican mainland on Tuesday.

The hurricane season in Mexico is shaping up to be very intense, particularly in the Pacific, due to the El Niño phenomenon. During this event the waters in that region warm significantly, which favors the formation of hurricanes.

In 2009, 75% of the town's homes were destroyed by another hurricane

Puerto San Carlos, which also relies on tourism, including whale watching and fishing trips, was devastated in 2009 by a powerful hurricane, which destroyed 75% of the homes, many of which were made of wood.

The head of Mexico's meteorological service, Fabián Vázquez, refused to sugarcoat the situation and warned that he expects "something very severe" from Polo. "As a Category 3 hurricane, the damage could be devastating," he explained to AFP by phone. Fallen trees, destroyed wooden houses or those with sheet-metal roofs, blocked roads and power outages are among the possible effects. He also forecasts flooding caused by storm surge or by the heavy rains expected.

"It is very important that people stay well away from the coast and avoid at all costs going to areas where they could be at risk or vulnerable, regardless of the storm's intensity when it hits," he added.

7,000 military personnel deployed

Municipal authorities reinforced the flood barriers surrounding the town. They are also planning evacuations. There are about 169 shelters set up. The military deployed nearly 7,000 personnel in the state, where classes and in-person work for public employees have also been suspended.

Hurricane season runs from May to November and affects the Pacific and Atlantic coasts every year. While authorities are monitoring Polo's progress, meteorologists are also keeping an eye on Rachel, a tropical storm with the potential to strengthen.

"It will move all week parallel to the Mexican coast, but just as the weekend approaches, it could also start moving toward Baja California Sur," Vázquez said.