What we know as Hurricane Rachel strengthens off Mexico’s Pacific coast

• Hurricane Rachel has intensified into a Category 3 storm off Mexico's Pacific coast, bringing 120 mph winds and dangerous surf risks to Baja California Sur, Sinaloa, and Jalisco.
• The U.S. Embassy in Mexico issued warnings for Americans in Cabo San Lucas regarding beach closures, port shutdowns, and life-threatening rip currents.
• Northern Mexico is still recovering from Hurricane Polo, which destroyed homes, displaced hundreds of residents, and left at least 13 municipalities flooded.
• Remnants of the storm system caused severe flooding across several U.S. states, setting rainfall records in Nebraska, prompting 80 water rescues in Omaha, and causing widespread power outages in Texas.
• Experts attribute the unusually active Pacific hurricane season to El Niño, which has created warmer ocean waters and fueled extreme weather across the region.

IN FULL

Hurricane Rachel intensifies to Category 3 off Mexico coast as US hit by flooding