Hurricane Polo’s rapid strengthening off Mexico’s southwestern coast raised concerns about dangerous conditions on land, even as its center was forecast to remain over the Pacific.

Polo reached Category 5 intensity on September 22, with maximum sustained winds reported at 165 mph. The National Hurricane Center described the cyclone as extremely dangerous as it moved slowly near Mexico’s Pacific coastline.

For coastal communities, the threat extended beyond the hurricane’s strongest winds. Forecast rainfall of 3 to 6 inches across Guerrero and Michoacán raised the possibility of flash flooding and mudslides. Parts of Oaxaca, Colima and Jalisco were also expected to receive rain. Authorities temporarily suspended classes in affected areas as the storm intensified.

Polo was nearly stationary about 210 miles south of Zihuatanejo on Tuesday night. Forecasters expected it to begin turning northwest before following a generally west-northwestward course over the following days. Its slow movement kept attention focused on how long nearby communities might face hazardous weather.

The U.S. Embassy in Mexico also issued a weather alert covering the Pacific coast and Baja Peninsula. Its warning emphasized that a hurricane does not need to make landfall to create dangerous conditions: heavy rain can trigger flooding and mudslides, while rough seas can bring powerful rip currents and unpredictable waves.

Although the forecast kept Polo’s core offshore, uncertainty remained about where and how severe its effects would be. Mexican authorities urged people to avoid flooded roads and identify routes to higher ground in flood-prone areas.

For residents and visitors, official forecast updates and local emergency instructions remained essential as the hurricane’s path developed.