Hurricane Polo strengthens to top category 5 off Mexico

Hurricane Polo reached maximum category 5 strength off the Pacific coast of Mexico on Tuesday but is expected to stay at sea, the US National Hurricane Center said.

The storm intensified from category 4 as it swirled off southwest Mexico with maximum sustained winds of 160 mph (260 kph), the NHC said.

It said Polo could still trigger life-threatening flooding and mudslides and strengthen further over the course of Tuesday into Wednesday.

"On the forecast track, the core of Polo is expected to be near the coast of southwestern Mexico during the next few days, although forecast to remain offshore," the agency said.

Mexico's meteorological service has issued alerts for several states along its Pacific coast including Guerrero, where popular beach resort town Acapulco is located.

In Acapulco, police officers broadcast public safety messages on the beach, warning people to take "preventive measures."

The town was devastated by Hurricane Otis in 2023, and "people are a bit worried," Alfredo Mondragon, who provides tourist services on the beach, told AFP.

Mexico suffers from cyclones every year, both on the Pacific coast and the Atlantic coast, usually between May and November.