Hurricane Polo forces Mexico to restrict Pacific port access for small vessels
Mexico’s Navy closed Manzanillo port to vessels under 500 gross tonnage at 9 a.m. Tuesday as Hurricane Polo intensified offshore. At 6 a.m. CST Wednesday, Polo hovered 320 miles southeast of Manzanillo with 150 mph winds, slowing northward at 2 mph.
The navy also shut Acapulco and Zihuatanejo to large vessels while limiting smaller craft at Manzanillo, Puerto Marqués and Lázaro Cárdenas. Polo reached Category 5 on Tuesday morning with 165 mph winds, climbing to 175 mph by evening before weakening to 150 mph early Wednesday. Manzanillo and Lázaro Cárdenas handle large volumes of Asian imports bound for Mexican factories and consumers. A tropical storm warning covered the coast from Técpan de Galeana to Punta San Telmo, while a watch extended farther northwest. The storm’s slow northward drift at 2 mph prolonged the threat of heavy rain and strong waves along Mexico’s Pacific shoreline.
“the measure was imposed because deteriorating weather associated with Polo was expected to bring stronger winds, heavy rainfall and higher waves to the area,” Manzanillo Port Captaincy said.
“the Mexican Navy had activated preventive measures along the Pacific coast as Polo strengthened, warning of heavy rain, strong winds and dangerous waves,” Lázaro Cárdenas authorities said.
Polo developed off Mexico’s Pacific coast and quickly intensified. By Tuesday morning it had reached Category 5 strength with sustained winds of 165 mph.
What we know
Mexico’s Navy closed Manzanillo to vessels under 500 gross tonnage at 9 a.m. Tuesday.
At 6 a.m. CST Wednesday, Polo was about 320 miles southeast of Manzanillo and 165 miles south of Zihuatanejo with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph moving north at 2 mph.
Polo intensified to Category 5 on Tuesday morning with winds reaching 165 mph, increasing to 175 mph by 6 p.m.
Navy closed Acapulco and Zihuatanejo to large vessels; smaller vessels were restricted at Manzanillo, Acapulco, Puerto Marqués, Zihuatanejo and Lázaro Cárdenas.
Manzanillo and Lázaro Cárdenas are two of Mexico’s largest Pacific container gateways handling large volumes of Asian imports.