Hurricane Rachel Forms as Moisture Increases Central U.S. Floods

By Scott Bishop Yuma, AZ · PACIFIC OCEAN —

Published Updated 5 min read

Hurricane Rachel formed in the Pacific on September 30, 2026, while its moisture combined with Hurricane Polo remnants to threaten the Central U.S.

PACIFIC OCEAN — Hurricane Rachel formed in the Pacific Ocean on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, with maximum sustained winds of approximately 85 mph (140 kph). Forecasters expect the system to rapidly strengthen and potentially become a major hurricane with sustained winds exceeding 111 mph (178 kph), though it currently poses no immediate threat to land.

The storm was located about 380 miles (615 kilometers) west of Lazaro Cardenas, Mexico, and about 220 miles (350 kilometers) southwest of Cabo Corrientes, Mexico. Hurricane Rachel was moving northwest at 9 mph (15 kph) and is forecast to turn toward the west-northwest and west later in the week, moving away from mainland Mexico and passing south of the Baja California peninsula.

Hurricane-force winds extended outward up to 25 miles (35 kilometers) from the center, while tropical-storm-force winds extended outward up to 160 miles (260 kilometers). The Mexican government discontinued all coastal watches and warnings for the storm as it moved into open waters, but authorities remain on alert in the states of Michoacán, Colima, and Jalisco.

The National Hurricane Center warned of possible isolated rainfall totals of up to 12 inches (30 centimeters) and heavy surf along the coasts of Guerrero, Michoacán, Colima, and Jalisco states. These conditions could cause severe flooding and landslides in mountainous regions. Schools were closed Wednesday in multiple municipalities in the state of Jalisco as a precautionary measure against potential flooding and weather-related disruptions.

The Jalisco State Civil Protection agency has been actively coordinating emergency response efforts in multiple municipalities affected by the weather, including Puerto Vallarta, where officials conducted a session on September 30, 2026, to assess risks and plan preventive measures. A tourist is missing due to strong waves in Puerto Vallarta, but the agency stated this case is not linked to Hurricane Polo.

Moisture from Hurricane Rachel and the remnants of Hurricane Polo are contributing to a flood threat across the Central U.S. According to reports, Rachel's moisture was pulled up behind the remnants of Polo to fuel this dangerous flood threat across much of the region. As much as 2 inches (5 centimeters) of rain fell from Colorado across the Great Plains to Iowa on Tuesday and into Wednesday, with some areas receiving more.

A storm in Amarillo, Texas, flooded streets and spawned a tornado on Tuesday night, with storm totals in the area exceeding 3.5 inches (9 centimeters). Parts of New Mexico experienced standing water in fields and near homes, and the Rio Grande overflowed in areas that had previously been dry. "There’s a lot of standing water in the fields and near some homes," said Greg Lundeen, a National Weather Service meteorologist. The weather pattern in the Central U.S. is consistent with an El Niño year of above-average Pacific storm activity.

Hurricane Polo made landfall on the Baja California peninsula overnight Monday and then farther inshore. It made landfall in Baja California Sur as a Category 2 hurricane and was one of only 10 recorded instances since 1950 of a tropical storm or hurricane surviving mountainous terrain to impact the U.S. Southwest. Polo was the eighteenth named storm, seventh hurricane, fifth major hurricane, and record-tying third Category 5 hurricane of the 2026 Pacific hurricane season.

Why It Matters

The interaction between Hurricane Rachel and the remnants of Hurricane Polo is associated with complex weather patterns during El Niño years, which bring above-average storm activity to the Pacific. The combined moisture from these systems creates flood risks far inland, affecting the Central United States long after the storms have dissipated or moved away from coastlines. This dual threat requires coordinated monitoring across international borders and diverse geographic regions.

The historical intensity of Hurricane Polo, ranking as the second-most intense Eastern Pacific hurricane by pressure, shows the potential severity of storms in this basin. With Rachel becoming the tenth hurricane of the season, the 2026 Pacific hurricane season continues to demonstrate high activity levels. Precautionary measures such as school closures in Jalisco reflect the proactive steps local authorities take to mitigate risks from both direct storm impacts and secondary effects like flooding and landslides.

Timeline

On September 23, 2026, Hurricane Polo reached Category 5 strength with peak winds of 180 mph and a central pressure of 892 millibars. The bodies of three people, including two children ages 3 and 15 and their mother, were found in Talpa de Allende, Jalisco, Mexico, after going missing due to river flooding. Hurricane Polo made landfall on the Baja California peninsula overnight Monday, September 28, 2026, and then farther inshore. A storm in Amarillo, Texas, flooded streets and spawned a tornado on Tuesday night, September 29, 2026.

On September 30, 2026, moisture from Hurricane Rachel and the remnants of Hurricane Polo began contributing to a flood threat across the Central U.S. Also on September 30, 2026, Jalisco’s Ministry of Education suspended classes in multiple municipalities as a precautionary measure against potential flooding and weather-related disruptions linked to Hurricane Rachel.

What's New

Additional reporting indicates that Hurricane Rachel's moisture was pulled up behind the remnants of Hurricane Polo to fuel a dangerous flood threat across much of the Central U.S. according to reports. Jalisco’s Ministry of Education suspended classes in multiple municipalities on September 30, 2026, as a precautionary measure against potential flooding and weather-related disruptions linked to Hurricane Rachel. Hurricane Polo is tied as the fourth-strongest hurricane on record to make landfall on the Baja California Peninsula, with peak winds of 110 mph (177 kph) and a central pressure of 965 mb, according to the Yale Climate Connections analysis of National Hurricane Center data.

Hurricane Rachel was the 20th named storm and 10th hurricane in the Central and Eastern Pacific this season, marking the second consecutive year with above-average hurricane activity in the region due to a strengthening El Niño. Hurricane Polo, which preceded Rachel, became the second-most intense hurricane by central pressure in the Eastern Pacific, with a recorded pressure of 892 millibars, just behind Hurricane Patricia's 872 millibars in 2015. Hurricane Rachel is forecast to bring isolated rainfall totals of up to 12 inches (30 cm) in parts of Guerrero, Michoacán, Colima, and Jalisco, potentially causing severe flooding and landslides in mountainous regions.

fact_check Facts

Hurricane Rachel formed in the Pacific Ocean on Wednesday, September 30, 2026.
Hurricane Rachel had maximum sustained winds of approximately 85 mph (140 kph).
Hurricane Rachel was located about 380 miles (615 kilometers) west of Lazaro Cardenas, Mexico, and about 220 miles (350 kilometers) southwest of Cabo Corrientes, Mexico.
Hurricane Rachel was moving northwest at 9 mph (15 kph).
Hurricane Rachel posed no immediate threat to land.
The Mexican government discontinued all coastal watches and warnings for Hurricane Rachel.
Mexican authorities remain on alert in the states of Michoacán, Colima, and Jalisco due to Hurricane Rachel.
Schools were closed Wednesday in 30 municipalities in the state of Jalisco, Mexico, as a precautionary measure due to Hurricane Rachel.
The National Hurricane Center warned of possible isolated rainfall totals of up to 12 inches (30 centimeters) and heavy surf along the coasts of Guerrero, Michoacán, Colima, and Jalisco states.
Hurricane-force winds extended outward up to 25 miles (35 kilometers) from Hurricane Rachel's center.
Tropical-storm-force winds extended outward up to 160 miles (260 kilometers) from Hurricane Rachel's center.
Hurricane Rachel is forecast to turn toward the west-northwest and west later in the week, moving away from mainland Mexico and passing south of the Baja California peninsula.
Moisture from Hurricane Rachel and the remnants of Hurricane Polo are contributing to a flood threat across the Central U.S.
As much as 2 inches (5 centimeters) of rain fell from Colorado across the Great Plains to Iowa on Tuesday and into Wednesday, with some areas receiving more.
A storm in Amarillo, Texas, flooded streets and spawned a tornado on Tuesday night.
Storm totals in the Amarillo, Texas, area exceeded 3.5 inches (9 centimeters).
Parts of New Mexico experienced standing water in fields and near homes, and the Rio Grande overflowed in areas that had previously been dry.

menu_bookBackground & Context

Context and data our newsroom added to the originating report.

Hurricane Rachel is the 20th named storm and the 10th hurricane in the Central and Eastern Pacific this season.
The weather pattern in the Central U.S. is consistent with an El Niño year of above-average Pacific storm activity.
Hurricane Polo made landfall on the Baja California peninsula overnight Monday and then farther inshore.
Hurricane Polo is the second-most intense hurricane by central pressure on record in the Eastern Pacific, behind Hurricane Patricia in 2015.
The bodies of three people, including two children ages 3 and 15 and their mother, were found Sunday in Talpa de Allende, Jalisco, Mexico, after going missing due to river flooding.
A tourist is missing due to strong waves in Puerto Vallarta, but the Jalisco State Civil Protection agency states this case is not linked to Hurricane Polo.
Hurricane Rachel's moisture was pulled up behind the remnants of Hurricane Polo to fuel a dangerous flood threat across much of the Central U.S., according to Fox Weather.
The Jalisco State Civil Protection agency has been actively coordinating emergency response efforts in multiple municipalities affected by Hurricane Rachel, including Puerto Vallarta, where they conducted a session on September 30, 2026, to assess risks and plan preventive measures.
Jalisco’s Ministry of Education suspended classes in 30 municipalities on September 30, 2026, as a precautionary measure against potential flooding and weather-related disruptions linked to Hurricane Rachel.
In the wake of Hurricane Polo, the Jalisco State Civil Protection agency reported that three people, including two children and their mother, were found dead in Talpa de Allende after going missing due to river flooding, with the father still missing.
Hurricane Polo is tied as the fourth-strongest hurricane on record to make landfall on the Baja California Peninsula, with peak winds of 110 mph (177 kph) and a central pressure of 965 mb, according to the Yale Climate Connections analysis of National Hurricane Center data.
Hurricane Rachel was the 20th named storm and 10th hurricane in the Central and Eastern Pacific this season, marking the second consecutive year with above-average hurricane activity in the region due to a strengthening El Niño.
Hurricane Polo, which preceded Rachel, became the second-most intense hurricane by central pressure in the Eastern Pacific, with a recorded pressure of 892 millibars, just behind Hurricane Patricia's 872 millibars in 2015.
Hurricane Polo, which made landfall in Baja California Sur as a Category 2 hurricane, was one of only 10 recorded instances since 1950 of a tropical storm or hurricane surviving mountainous terrain to impact the U.S. Southwest.
Hurricane Rachel is forecast to bring isolated rainfall totals of up to 12 inches (30 cm) in parts of Guerrero, Michoacán, Colima, and Jalisco, potentially causing severe flooding and landslides in mountainous regions.
The Mexican government had previously issued coastal watches and warnings for Hurricane Rachel, but these were later discontinued as the storm moved away from the mainland and into open waters.

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