Hurricane Polo made landfall on Mexico’s Baja California peninsula as a Category 3 storm, cutting power and causing flooding in coastal towns.

The storm hit just south of the fishing village of Las Barrancas in Baja California Sur state. The US National Hurricane Center said it brought life-threatening winds and flash flooding.

Polo carried sustained winds of 185 kilometers per hour, or 115 miles per hour, at landfall. The sea breached sand barriers in Puerto San Carlos, a fishing port of nearly 6,000 people.

Power supplies were cut in parts of the town. Palm trees swayed violently as strong winds whipped up waves. Mexican authorities ordered residents to take shelter.

Some 169 shelters were opened across Baja California Sur. The head of Mexico’s meteorological service, Fabian Vazquez, warned that storm surges and heavy rains could cause very severe damage.

Polo had reached Category 5 strength days earlier before weakening over cooler waters. It was forecast to bring heavy rain to Sinaloa, Sonora and Chihuahua after crossing the peninsula.