The Foreign Office has issued a warning to British holidaymakers planning trips to Mexico as category five Hurricane Polo is set to bring dangerous conditions including life-threatening flooding and landslides.
Hurricane Polo is expected to strike southern Mexico within the next few days. The tempest has been upgraded to a 'category five' hurricane - the most severe classification - having previously been reduced to level four.
One of the most powerful storms ever recorded
Category five storms can generate winds exceeding 157mph, and Hurricane Polo will be 'one of the most powerful storms ever recorded' in the Pacific basin, according to Prof Kristen L. Corbosiero from the University at Albany.
The Foreign Office has now revised its guidance for British travellers considering trips to Mexico, urging them to 'follow advice from local authorities and your tour operator'.
It stated: "Hurricane Polo is bringing heavy rainfall across Mexico's southwestern coast, including parts of Guerrero, Michoacan and Oaxaca states."
Heavy rain and flooding warnings
"Heavy rain is expected to continue during the week of September 21, and may cause life-threatening flooding and landslides. A hurricane warning is in place."
"Follow advice from local authorities and your tour operator. See extreme weather and natural hazards for advice about how to prepare for travel during hurricane season and what to do ahead of a storm."
The hurricane alert arrives while the Foreign Office's established guidance regarding safe travel zones in Mexico remains unaltered. Authorities recommend avoiding all non-essential journeys to 11 Mexican states, save for particular situations.
Existing advice on drug-related violence
The 11 states comprise Baja California, Chihuahua, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas, Zacatecas, Guanajuato, Michoacán, Jalisco, Colima, Guerrero, and Chiapas. The alerts encompass the major city of Tijuana, though they confirm that airside transit via its international airport remains secure.
The Foreign Office has maintained this longstanding guidance owing to 'drug-related violence' across the northern, western, and central states.
It says: "Many fatalities are suspected gang members killed in violent clashes between the different organisations competing for control of trafficking routes into the USA. Armed clashes between security forces and drug groups can happen at any time without warning. Take extreme care outside tourist areas in all these states."
Regarding eastern Mexico, diplomats stated: "There has been an increase in security incidents in the states of Tabasco and Veracruz, including the city of Veracruz. Illegal roadblocks are reported frequently. Be extremely cautious."
Southern Mexico is similarly plagued by narcotics-related violence, the government confirms, particularly near the Guatemalan frontier: "Gangs do not usually target tourists, but you could be a victim of violence due to mistaken identity or on suspicion of spying for other organised criminal gangs.
"There is a risk of being caught in crossfire between rival organised crime groups."
Favourite British holiday spots in Mexico, including Cancun, Tulum, and Mexico City, are not included in the warning.
