Hurricane Hilary was downgraded to Category 2 on a scale of 5 on Saturday in northwestern Mexico’s Baja California peninsula, where rainfall caused light damage, and is moving toward southern California in the United States.
• Also read: Hurricane Hilary is heading for the Pacific coast of Mexico
At midnight GMT Sunday, the hurricane was 390 km from the city of Punta Eugenia in the center of the Baja California peninsula, with gusts of up to 155 km/h, the United States’ National Hurricane Center (NHC) said.
Before moving on to Southern California, heavy rain is expected in parts of the peninsula, according to the NHC.
AFP
Due to lower than expected wind speeds, Hilary was downgraded from Category 3 to Category 2.
According to the Mexican Weather Service, heavy rains and lightning strikes are expected, which could lead to flooding in large parts of the country.
They called on the population to be careful because of the risk of strong waves and floods.
In the beach resort of Los Cabos in Baja California, popular with foreign tourists, businesses have been protected with sandbags and sheltered furniture.
AFP
“We took all necessary measures last night, now we’re taking care of the workers and making sure everyone is okay while we wait for the hurricane to hit,” Omar Olvera, 34, told AFP on the beach on Saturday.
“Yesterday we felt the wind picking up, it was finally less strong than expected, but we continue to worry,” Marco Segura, 57, told AFP in Cerritos.
The Mexican Navy reported “minor damage to people and infrastructure,” including falling trees, minor flooding and damage to some roads in the Baja California peninsula.
For its part, the government of the state of Baja California, in which the city of Tijuana is located, has opened shelters. He has already reported rainfall on his territory.
It’s the first hurricane of the season to make landfall on the Pacific side.
Tropical cyclones hit Mexico every year, usually between May and November, along its Pacific and Atlantic coasts.