Preparations for Hurricanes Nolo and Polo in Hawaii and Mexico

Preparations are being made in Hawaii and Mexico for the Pacific hurricanes “Nolo” and “Polo”. According to the US Hurricane Center NHC in Miami, "Nolo" was almost stationary on Saturday around 235 kilometers south of the island of Hawaii with sustained wind speeds of 165 kilometers per hour. Meanwhile, the strong cyclone “Polo” is expected to make landfall in northwestern Mexico on Monday.

The U.S. government approved federal aid for preventative measures in Hawaii, Gov. Josh Green announced. “Protecting the people of Hawaii is our top priority,” said Green on Friday evening (local time). “Nolo” is supposed to pass the island chain. However, heavy rain, strong winds and high waves are expected, the NHC said. People filled sandbags to protect their homes from flooding.

Mexico is preparing for the arrival of “Polo”.

Off Mexico, “Polo” is heading towards the Baja California peninsula as a strong hurricane. The storm is moving over the sea with sustained wind speeds of 250 kilometers per hour and is expected to reach the west coast of the state of Baja California Sur on Monday in a somewhat weaker form. More than 1,200 soldiers were deployed to the region to support the population. Around 170 emergency shelters are available for affected people if necessary, as the local government announced.

The particularly strong climate phenomenon El Niño is causing an unusual hurricane season this year. While nine hurricanes have already formed in the Pacific - three of them in the highest category 5 - not a single hurricane has developed in the Atlantic. The hurricane season begins in the Pacific on May 15th and in the Atlantic on June 1st and ends on November 30th.