Hurricane Polo's remnants bringing more rain to flood-struck U.S. Southwest
The remnants of Hurricane Polo are causing significant flooding across the U.S. Southwest, particularly in New Mexico and Arizona. Authorities have issued evacuation orders for several communities due to the risk of dam failure and rising water levels.
Why it matters
Extreme weather events exacerbated by tropical systems pose immediate threats to infrastructure and public safety in drought-prone regions.
PHOENIX — As former Hurricane Polo weakened over northwestern Mexico on Tuesday evening, the storm's remnants battered the U.S. Southwest, flooding roadways and forcing residents in small New Mexico towns to evacuate over concerns about a dam failing.
Climate The Pacific is churning with hurricanes. The Atlantic is quiet. Blame El Niño Polo had struck the Mexican state of Baja California Sur in the morning with maximum sustained winds of 110 mph (177 kph). It crossed the Gulf of California and weakened to become a tropical storm as it moved inland to the northeast.
By Tuesday evening, the New Mexico Department of Transportation reported flooded roads and debris on highways across the state, while parts of Arizona had become especially drenched, leading to several water rescues.
That is after storms rolled through parts of the U.S. Southwest overnight Monday, saturating the ground, which can make flooding worse.
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