Tropical Storm Hilary has caused widespread saturation in Southern California, shattering rainfall records and bringing much-needed relief to the drought-stricken region. This tropical storm, the first to hit Southern California in 84 years, unleashed a deluge of rain across coastal areas, inland mountains, and even deserts on August 20.
In the popular desert resort city of Palm Springs, nearly three inches of rain fell by Sunday evening, while downtown Los Angeles broke a 117-year-old rainfall record with 2.48 inches of rain. Such heavy downpours are a welcome sight for a region that has been grappling with drought conditions for years.
Despite its transition into a post-tropical cyclone, Hilary continues to wreak havoc as it moves through the southwestern United States. Post-tropical cyclones may no longer possess the characteristics of a tropical cyclone, but they can still generate heavy rains and strong winds, warns the National Hurricane Center.
As of Monday morning, Hilary maintains winds of approximately 35 MPH with occasional stronger gusts as it advances north in central Nevada, positioned about 390 miles north of San Diego. Although coastal tropical storm warnings have ended, flood watches remain in effect for more than 25 million people stretching from Southern California to northern Idaho.
The storm initially made landfall on the Baja California Peninsula in Mexico, approximately 150 miles south of Ensenada, on Saturday, August 19. Tragically, one individual reportedly drowned in Santa Rosalia on the peninsula’s eastern coast when a vehicle was swept away in an overflowing stream. The storm then proceeded towards Tijuana and ventured onward to the United States.
Flooding and mudslides are expected to persist as the storm weakens and heads towards Nevada. Southern California and Nevada could still experience unprecedented rainfall of up to 10 inches through Monday morning. In addition, parts of Oregon and Idaho may receive up to 5 inches of rain by Tuesday, August 22.
The power grid has largely withstood the impact of the storm, with approximately 13,000 customers without power as of Sunday, according to Southern California Edison. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power reported roughly 3,000 customers without power on Sunday evening, while San Diego Gas and Electric reported fewer than 1,000 outages.
Sunday afternoon brought an additional surprise to Southern California, as a preliminary magnitude 5.1 earthquake jolted the region. Centered near Ojai, about 80 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles, the earthquake triggered smaller aftershocks. Fortunately, there have been no immediate reports of injuries or damages, assured the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.
While California rarely experiences tropical cyclones or hurricanes due to a combination of unfavorable atmospheric conditions, prevailing east-to-west winds, and cold water, experts emphasize that the increasing ocean temperatures driven by climate change could lead to stronger and more destructive tropical storms when they do occur. It is worth noting that warm ocean waters serve as fuel for hurricanes, and California’s temperatures mostly fall below the threshold required to generate or sustain tropical cyclones.
In conclusion, Tropical Storm Hilary has brought a deluge of rain to Southern California, setting rainfall records and providing some relief to a region plagued by drought. While the storm weakens and moves towards Nevada, authorities continue to issue flood watches, and residents are urged to remain cautious in the face of potential flooding and mudslides. The impact of this tropical storm serves as a reminder of the vulnerabilities and risks associated with extreme weather events, prompting renewed discussions on climate change and its implications for the frequency and intensity of such storms.
