# Two hurricanes threaten Mexico and Hawaii > Hurricane Polo batters Mexico's Pacific coast while Tropical Storm Nolo strengthens toward Hawaii, raising fears of catastrophic flooding and mudslides. - Title: Two hurricanes threaten Mexico and Hawaii · NPR | Shortify - Summary: Hurricane Polo batters Mexico's Pacific coast while Tropical Storm Nolo strengthens toward Hawaii, raising fears of catastrophic flooding and mudslides… - Keywords: hurricane polo, tropical storm nolo, mexico, hawaii, guerrero state, big island, flooding, mudslides, national hurricane center, news, Two, hurricanes - Source: NPR — https://npr.org/2026/09/23/nx-s1-5979140/hurricane-polo-mexico-nolo-hawaii - Published: 2026-09-23T00:00:00+00:00 - Read time: 2 min - Topics: hurricane polo, tropical storm nolo, mexico, hawaii, guerrero state, big island, flooding, mudslides, national hurricane center, news ## Polo becomes major hurricane off Mexico Hurricane Polo, an extremely dangerous Pacific cyclone, is expected to skirt Mexico's Guerrero state on Wednesday, bringing four to six inches of rain through Thursday, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami. ## Guerrero faces life-threatening mudslides Guerrero state, repeatedly pummeled by hurricanes in recent years, is particularly at risk of life-threatening flooding and mudslides. The region is rural, mountainous and marked by poverty, with residents complaining authorities abandon them during natural disasters. ## Business owner fears losing her legacy Concepción López Villegas, who runs a seaside restaurant in Lázaro Cárdenas, Michoacán, is bolstering her business against the expected rain. She said she feared the storm could destroy the small business she worked decades to build. > We're worried and trying to protect our businesses. And of course, we're sad because it's our heritage, our legacy that from one moment to another could be destroyed. ## Polo packing winds of one hundred sixty mph Hurricane Polo, swirling about one hundred thirty miles south-southwest of Zihuatanejo on Wednesday, was packing winds of one hundred sixty miles per hour. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said the storm was not expected to make landfall. ## Nolo strengthens toward Hawaii Tropical Storm Nolo was churning about two hundred ninety five miles south of South Point, Hawaii. The storm is forecast to become a hurricane by Thursday night and is expected to approach the Big Island as early as Friday. ## Nolo could drop up to twenty inches of rain Nolo could drop up to twenty inches of rain on Hawaii, raising the possibility of flooding and mudslides. John Bravender, a National Weather Service warning coordination meteorologist, said the main concern is flash flooding on the Big Island. ## Twenty to thirty inches could fall on Big Island Twenty to thirty inches of rain could fall through Saturday on southeastern parts of the Big Island, the same region hit hard in August by Hurricane Lala. Bravender warned this rain on already saturated ground could cause even more damage. > That by itself could cause catastrophic flooding, but when you put that on top of grounds that we've been raining off and on for the last couple of months … that rain could cause even more damage. ## Hawaii residents urged to prepare immediately Hawaii County Mayor Kimo Alameda urged residents to prepare now with emergency kits containing food, water and medications. Bravender said today is the last dry day to get ready, and Kauai's electric cooperative warned of possible prolonged power outages. > You need to take action now. Today is really the last dry day you have to get ready. ## Key takeaway Hurricane Polo threatens Mexico with heavy rain and mudslides while Tropical Storm Nolo approaches Hawaii, expected to bring up to twenty inches of rain and potential catastrophic flooding.