Remnants of Hurricane Polo triggered evacuations in New Mexico and widespread flooding across the US Southwest on Tuesday, as the storm system degraded after making landfall in Mexico. The National Weather Service issued flood watches and warnings for 10 states, with heavy rainfall causing road closures, water rescues, and concerns over potential dam failures.
Evacuations ordered in New Mexico as dam failure fears grow
Residents in three small communities—Rincon, Salem, and Garfield—were ordered to evacuate immediately due to fears of a dam failure along the Rio Grande in south-central New Mexico. Additional evacuations were later issued for Hatch and Placitas, with officials warning that conditions could worsen. The New Mexico Department of Transportation reported highway flooding and debris across the state, while Arizona saw multiple water rescues as heavy rainfall inundated desert regions.
The storm’s remnants, which had weakened from a Category 3 hurricane to a tropical storm after striking Baja California Sur on Monday, continued to move northeast, bringing bands of heavy rain to the Southwest. Overnight storms on Monday had already saturated the ground, exacerbating flood risks. By Tuesday evening, flash flood warnings were in effect for parts of Arizona and New Mexico, with the National Weather Service warning residents to avoid low-lying areas and riverbeds.
Storm impacts span US-Mexico border as flooding spreads
In Mexico, Hurricane Polo made landfall in Baja California Sur with 110 mph winds, dumping 15-30 cm of rain before crossing the Gulf of California and weakening. The storm lashed the Sonora coast, particularly Guaymas and Empalme, where flooding, power outages, and fallen trees were reported. Mexican authorities suspended nonessential activities, closed ports, and deployed Navy vessels to aid isolated coastal communities. Over hundreds of people were evacuated across the region.
The National Hurricane Center tracked Polo’s remnants as they moved into the US Southwest, with the National Weather Service forecasting that flood risks would shift toward the central US by midweek. Heavy rain was expected to hit Texas, Oklahoma, and parts of the Great Lakes, with rainfall rates of up to two inches per hour in some areas. Officials warned that saturated soils, burn scars, and low-water crossings were particularly vulnerable to flash flooding.
Forecast calls for prolonged flood risks across multiple states
Meteorologists noted that while total rainfall amounts were expected to remain under six inches in most areas, the intensity of rainfall—not just volume—posed the greatest threat. The National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center predicted that the remnants of Polo would interact with an upper-level low-pressure system, drawing tropical moisture and prolonging flood risks through Thursday. Flash flood warnings remained in effect for southeast Arizona and western New Mexico, with a line of heavy storms expected to move into West Texas and the Pecos River valley overnight.
Emergency responders across the region urged residents to stay informed through local alerts and avoid unnecessary travel. With flood watches active in 10 states, officials emphasized that the combination of saturated ground, slow-moving storms, and vulnerable terrain could lead to prolonged and dangerous flooding conditions in the coming days.