Hilary has weakened from a Category 1 hurricane to a tropical storm, but officials have warned to take the storm “seriously” as it threatens Southern California with treacherous conditions.
According to the National Hurricane Center, Hilary made landfall in Mexico late Sunday morning over the northern peninsula of Baja California with maximum sustained winds of 65 miles per hour as the storm system raged north-northwest at speeds of 25 miles per hour.
As of about 11 a.m. local time Sunday, it was about 215 miles south-southeast of San Diego and was set to hit California as the state heads into the afternoon.
At least one person has already died after their vehicle was swept away near Santa Rosalía after catastrophic flooding devastated parts of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula.
Hilary has weakened from a Category 1 hurricane to a tropical storm, but officials have warned to take the storm “seriously” as it threatens Southern California with treacherous conditions
The storm is expected to drop 3 to 6 inches of rain — as much as 10 inches in some areas — and whip up damaging winds that may knock out power for many
While the majority of people took shelter from the storm, others braved the wet conditions to sunbathe in the precursor to the storm, which had expanded to the size of the state of Arizona
Californians have their recorders and cameras out to document the gathering gray skies, rains and panicking stockpiles as the storm cell promises the potential for history-making torrential downpours in the region.
The storm is expected to drop 3 to 6 inches of rain — as much as 10 inches in some areas — and generate damaging winds at speeds of up to 80 mph that can knock out power for many.
FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell told CBS in an interview Sunday that residents can expect a “significant impact.”
While total rainfall is unlikely to exceed that of similar East Coast storms, people should not downplay the threat, Criswell added.
“People need to take this storm in California really seriously,” she reiterated on ABC.
Terrifying images of empty streets offer a glimpse of the future as residents close their hatches to prepare for the treacherous weather
Grocery store shelves highlighted the urgency of a community unfamiliar with such storms as stores remained empty
A few stragglers were seen in raincoats with umbrellas as the angry seas lashed at a pier in Imperial Beach, while some in San Diego strolled along the shore while they still could
“I find it interesting that the total rainfall amounts don’t match what we’re seeing from some of our Atlantic storms and Gulf storms, but it will actually be potentially devastating for them in these desert areas.”
Frantic supplies and chilling images of empty streets offer a glimpse of the future as residents close their hatches to prepare for the treacherous weather.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Saturday declared a state of emergency for a large portion of his constituency, adding, “We are mobilizing the entire government as we prepare for and respond to this unprecedented storm.”
While the majority of people took shelter from the storm, others braved the wet conditions to sunbathe in the precursor to the storm, which had expanded to the size of the state of Arizona.
A few stragglers were seen in raincoats with umbrellas as the angry sea lashed at a pier in Imperial Beach, while some walked along the shore while they still could.
Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency across much of Southern California to support Tropical Storm Hilary response and recovery efforts as the state continues to mobilize and coordinate resources in advance of the projected impact
Volunteers and members of the Long Beach Fire Department fill sandbags in front of Hilary at Belmont Shore Beach
A vehicle splashes through puddles along a street beginning to flood in the Van Nuys neighborhood of Los Angeles as a tropical storm sweeps the area
Surfers reveled in the stunning sea walls being built on the shoreline and adventure seekers trying to make the most of the massive waves at Dana Point – despite the region’s beaches being closed.
Grocery store shelves highlighted the urgency of a community unfamiliar with such storms as stores remained empty.
Traditionally well-stocked shops only sell canned fish and sometimes plain white bread, while health-conscious Angelinos grab the healthier whole-grain alternatives.
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power has armed itself with a full staff and crew ready to work to restore power and clear down fallen trees or power lines, the utility said in a statement.
The city’s reservoirs have “sufficient capacity” to handle increased runoff due to potential flooding, it said.
Electric utility Southern California Edison, which supplies more than 15 million people in the area, said Hilary is on track to impact much of its service area.
Forecasters predicted Hilary would make history as the first tropical storm in 84 years to hit southern California, bringing flash flooding, mudslides, isolated tornadoes, high winds and power outages
Peak wind gusts could reach speeds of up to 81 mph in Joshua Tree National Park and 67 mph in Wrightwood
The company said it was preparing to respond to any outages but urged residents to bring supplies such as flashlights, external battery chargers and coolers.
Meteorologists warned there could be historic flooding impacts, particularly for San Bernardino and Inyo counties, with Death Valley and the Morongo Basin expected to experience the greatest flooding.
According to the Los Angeles Times, roads in Death Valley and on Highway 62 could be closed.
High-risk areas in LA County include the San Gabriel Mountains and Antelope Valley, where rainfall triggers landslides, debris flows, mudslides and rockfalls.
Californians have their recorders and cameras out to document the gathering gray skies, rains and panicking stockpiles as the storm cell promises the potential for history-making torrential downpours in the region
Hilary has since weakened to a tropical storm with winds of about 70 miles per hour – although it has still not reached California. So a great morning for surfing?! Look how many people are in the water off Long Beach! @abc7gabe reports. | @ABC7 pic.twitter.com/lOZX5FiuPY
— Marc Cota-Robles (@abc7marccr) August 20, 2023
Peak wind gusts could reach speeds of up to 81 mph in Joshua Tree National Park and 67 mph in Wrightwood.
Peak gusts could reach 62 mph in Anaheim, 60 mph in Irvine, 58 in Palm Springs and Ontario, 54 in Big Bear Lake, 52 in Riverside, 46 in San Clemente, 43 in San Diego and 41 in San Bernardino.
In Los Angeles County, potential peak wind gusts could be 44 mph in Santa Clarita and Lancaster, 40 in Northridge and Westlake Village, 35 in Avalon on Catalina Island, 32 in Pomona, 31 in Pasadena, 30 in Long Beach and 29 in downtown Los are Angeles and 26 in Redondo Beach.