Southern California braces for Hurricane Polo, now a Category 5

A potential nor’easter is threatening the Atlantic shoreline with possible strong winds, along with heavy rains and coastal flooding. At the same time, a Category 5 hurricane is brewing just off the coast of Mexico, and Southern California is on alert for impacts later this week. Carter Evans reports from Malibu and Rob Marciano has the forecast.

Sept. 23 — Polo becomes one of the strongest Eastern Pacific hurricanes ever recorded

https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/mobile/text/refresh/MIATCPEP2%2Bhtml/230545.shtml

Polo’s 905 mb pressure puts it among the most intense Eastern Pacific storms on record. It briefly reached Category 5 strength with winds around 165–180 mph.

Sept. 23 — Southern California braces for another round of coastal damage

https://mynewsla.com/weather/2026/09/23/hurricane-polo-raises-coastal-flooding-erosion-concerns-in-socal-2/

Forecasters say the most likely SoCal impacts are coastal flooding and erosion, although the forecast remains uncertain several days out.