Hurricane Polo explodes into one of strongest storms ever

Hurricane Polo has exploded into one of the strongest storms ever

recorded in the Western Hemisphere, as it skirts the south-western coast

of Mexico.

It's maximum sustained winds are up to 290 kilometres per hour, as

it grew unexpectedly from a tropical storm into a category 5 hurricane

within 24 hours.

Beaches along Mexico's Pacific coast were supposedly emptying out

but some young people were still practising skimboarding in the Acapulco area.

Many who operate small businesses by the sea were worried about

potential powerful waves, and have set up sandbags to fortify their shops.

The storm is not expected to make landfall, but is likely to maintain

its intensity for the next couple of days off the coast.