Hurricane Rachel Upgraded to Category 3, Impacting Mexico and U.S. Southwest

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Hurricane Rachel has been upgraded to a Category 3 storm off Mexico's Pacific coast as northern Mexico and parts of the U.S. Southwest are experiencing flooding and damage from the remnants of Hurricane Polo earlier this week. The storm is located about 235 miles (380 kilometers) south of the southern tip of Baja California, moving west-northwest at 3 mph (6 kph) and is expected to strengthen Friday before weakening this weekend, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC). As of Thursday evening, the maximum sustained winds were recorded at 120 miles per hour (193 kph). The NHC warned that Rachel's swells could generate life-threatening surf and rip-current conditions off Mexico's coast. Mexican authorities remain on alert due to forecasts of very heavy rain in Baja California Sur, Sinaloa, and Jalisco, with risks of landslides, rising river levels, overflowing rivers, and flooding in low-lying areas. The U.S. Embassy in Mexico issued a warning to U.S. citizens in Cabo San Lucas, a popular vacation destination, regarding beach and port closures and dangerous rip currents. This hurricane season has been unusually busy, attributed to El Niño, which has caused droughts in Mexico and Central America and floods in other areas. Tropical Storm Nolo is also approaching Hawaii but is expected to strengthen into a hurricane by the weekend. Parts of northern Mexico are still recovering from the impacts of Hurricane Polo, with hundreds displaced and at least 13 municipalities flooded. Lucía Vegas, a resident of Bacabachi in Sonora, described her experience of surviving severe flooding that left her family homeless. In the U.S., areas in Texas, Nebraska, Missouri, and Iowa remain under flood watch as storm remnants continue to affect the region. Lincoln, Nebraska, recorded 6.1 inches of rain on Wednesday, the wettest day on record, while Omaha experienced 4.7 inches, prompting numerous water rescues. San Antonio, Texas, is under a flash-flood warning, and over 19,000 residents in the state were without power Thursday afternoon. In Chicago, a wastewater treatment utility urged residents to conserve water to prevent flooding. Kansas Governor Laura Kelly issued an emergency proclamation to assist first responders in affected communities. Raza reported from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Castellón reported from Bacabachi, Mexico. Associated Press writer John Raby contributed to this report.