An “extremely dangerous” Category 5 hurricane is moving along Mexico’s southwestern coast, bringing heavy rain and raising concerns that it could cause flooding and mudslides.
The Miami-based National Hurricane Center described Hurricane Polo as an "extremely dangerous" system with maximum sustained winds reaching 180 mph (285 km/h).
While the storm is skirting the coast, experts predict that it will not make landfall. However, Polo will bring torrential rainfall, ocean swells and life-threatening surf conditions. A tropical storm warning is in place for the coastal areas of Guerro, Michoacán and Oaxaca.
The FCDO advises against all but essential travel to parts of Guerro and Michoacán, but this was put in place due to violence and crime rather than meteorological concerns.
Wind gusts of 37 to 49 mph (60 to 80 km/h) and waves of five to six metres in height are expected on the coasts of Michoacán and Guerrero, as well as waves of two to three metres in height on the coasts of Oaxaca, the Mexican meteorological agency said.
Data suggest that the Category 5 storm, the highest level on the Saffir-Simpson scale, will likely stay at this intensity for the next few days due to warm El Niño ocean waters.
Is it safe to travel to Mexico?
There are no specific “do not travel” warnings related to Hurricane Polo.
However, there have been some longstanding warnings in place where the FCDO advises against all but essential travel to parts of Baja California, Chihuahua, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas, Zacatecas, Guanajuato, Michoacán, Jalisco, Colima, Guerrero and Chiapas. Read the FCDO’s Mexico pages for more information.
What does the UK government say?
The UK’s Foreign Office advises travellers to monitor local and international weather updates, including US National Hurricane Center and Mexican Meteorological Service.
See the FCDO’s guidance page on extreme weather and natural hazards for advice about how to prepare for travel during hurricane season and what to do ahead of a storm.
Follow advice from local authorities and your tour operator.
Have flights been cancelled?
No major flight disruption has occurred in the regional airports in the area. However, the US embassy for Mexico warns that flights could be impacted and that passengers should check with their airline for updates.
Can I cancel my holiday to Mexico?
As the FCDO has not warned against non-essential travel to Mexico, there will be no special circumstances in place to be able to cancel a trip for a full refund.
The conditions for cancelling your trip will be dependent on your holiday provider, so it’s best to contact them if you’re looking to postpone.
There is no obligation for companies to refund bookings if you want to cancel, and you will not be able to claim on your travel insurance due to safety concerns unless government advice changes.
If you do have travel insurance, some policies include natural disaster cover for an event that prevents you from reaching your holiday destination. Check your insurance policies and speak to your insurer to see where you stand.
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