Tropical Storm Polo will impact the U.S. after slamming Mexico. See its path.

Former Hurricane Polo, now a tropical storm, is expected to bring significant rain and flooding to the southwestern United States after moving across Mexico, according to the National Hurricane Center. Downgraded from a hurricane on Tuesday, Polo’s path threatens over 30 million people from Arizona to Iowa with flash floods. Already, heavy rain has caused road flooding in southern New Mexico. After making landfall in Mexico’s Baja California Sur and Sonora, Polo is moving northeast at 21 mph, with winds expected to decrease to 35 mph by the time it reaches El Paso. Flash flood watches are in effect from Phoenix to Des Moines, with some areas potentially receiving up to two inches of rain per hour. The National Weather Service warns of a significant flash flood threat across the Four Corners Region and into the Central Plains. Albuquerque, New Mexico, is particularly at risk, with forecasts predicting about two inches of rain. Parts of Texas, including Dallas, may experience rain through Thursday, with some areas expecting over seven inches. Polo initially intensified rapidly, with wind speeds jumping dramatically from 45 mph to 150 mph in just 24 hours. QUESTION: How might the increasing frequency and intensity of storms like Polo impact communities in the southwestern United States in the future?