Tropical Storm Hilary Brings State of Emergency and Flooding to California
Tropical Storm Hilary has made a historic arrival in California, bringing heavy rainfall and the risk of catastrophic flooding. After pummeling Mexico’s Baja California peninsula with torrential rains, the storm has now reached Southern California, prompting Governor Gavin Newsom to declare a state of emergency.
Flash flood warnings are in effect throughout the region, as areas that are typically accustomed to drought brace for an unprecedented amount of rainfall. The impact of the storm has been felt across various sectors, with hundreds of flights canceled and professional sporting events rescheduled. The Los Angeles Unified School District and San Diego Unified School District have also canceled classes for Monday.
San Diego County, which is just north of the Mexican border, is preparing for its first-ever recorded tropical storm. Meanwhile, some desert and mountainous regions could potentially receive a year’s worth of rain in just one day. Tornadoes are also a possibility in certain areas.
The concrete banks of the Los Angeles River, which are usually dry, have been breached due to the raging floodwaters. In Ocotillo, located about 90 miles east of San Diego, rock slides and boulders have caused traffic delays on Interstate 8.
The arrival of Tropical Storm Hilary marks a rare occurrence for Southern California. The last tropical strength storm to hit the area was in 1997, and before storms were formally named, another storm made landfall in 1939.
Meteorologists predict that some desert and mountain regions could see rainfall amounts ranging from 5 to 10 inches, which is a significant departure from the norm. Alex Tardy, a senior meteorologist, describes the event as a very unusual event unfolding here due to the lack of rainfall typically seen in August.
Palm Springs, a popular desert getaway in Riverside County, has experienced flooding in its streets. This city, with an average annual rainfall of just 4.6 inches, could now receive 6 to 10 inches of rain from this storm. Even Death Valley, which typically receives only 2.2 inches of rain annually, could witness 3 to 4 inches from this event.
As preparations for the storm were underway, an earthquake with a magnitude of 5.1 rocked the city of Ojai in Ventura County. Thankfully, there have been no reports of injuries thus far.
Although Tropical Storm Hilary has weakened in the past 48 hours, it is still expected to be the wettest storm ever to hit the U.S. Southwest. Zack Taylor, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, explains that storm surges and heavy rain are likely to result in coastal flooding and potential catastrophic flooding in certain areas.
The storm is currently positioned just north of the Mexico border and is forecasted to move across Southern California on Sunday afternoon. As of the latest update, Hilary is moving north-northwest and has sustained winds of 60 mph.
In Mexico, nearly 1,900 individuals have been evacuated to shelters in the Baja California peninsula. Tragically, one person lost their life as their family was swept away while crossing a stream. The area also experienced power outages and damaged infrastructure due to fallen lamp posts.
Despite its weakened state, Tropical Storm Hilary poses a significant threat to Southern California. The impact of the storm will continue to be closely monitored, as officials and residents take necessary precautions to navigate this rare weather event.
