Hurricane Polo's Moisture Sends a Flood Threat Across the Southwest

Hurricane Polo was a Baja California problem on Monday, and by midweek it becomes a Southwest problem. The major Pacific hurricane was bearing down on Mexico's peninsula with life-threatening rain, mudslides and storm surge possible. But its lasting punch may come farther north. Tropical moisture is streaming into Arizona, New Mexico, Utah and Colorado, where it is meeting a large storm system arriving from the west.

Forecasters flagged Santa Fe, Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon area for a serious flood threat, and a statewide flood watch covers New Mexico. Four to six inches of rain are possible in spots, and the danger then shifts toward Texas, including Dallas, later in the week. More than 14 million people face flood risk across nearly a dozen states this week. If you live in these areas, never drive through floodwater, especially near arroyos and burn scars. Shallow-looking water can turn dangerous surprisingly fast.

Hurricane Nolo Drifts Away From Hawaii, but the Danger Is Not Over

Hawaii can breathe a little easier, not completely. Hurricane Nolo spent the weekend moving away from the Big Island after a zigzag path that had residents filling sandbags and boarding up shops. Its center stayed well to the south and southwest, yet a high wind warning and surf advisory remained in place on Sunday, and heavy rain and flash flooding stayed a real risk.

What makes this harder is timing. Parts of the state are still recovering from a rough year that included a March flood, a magnitude 6.0 earthquake in May and last month's Hurricane Lala. Governor Josh Green said earlier disasters damaged or destroyed about 1,290 homes, with recovery costs near a billion dollars before Nolo even showed up. Forecasters say Nolo could strengthen further as it turns northwest toward a protected marine monument. It is a reminder that this El Niño-fueled Pacific season is not slowing down.