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People gaze at the Hollywood sign in the rain near Lake Hollywood Park in Los Angeles on Sunday, as southern California experiences a storm warning due to Tropical Storm Hilary. This photograph was captured by Caroline Brehman/EPA-EFE.
(UPI) — Tropical Storm Hilary has made landfall along Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula, imposing “catastrophic and life-threatening flooding” on the southwestern United States.
Hilary arrived with wind speeds of up to 65 mph, around 11 a.m. By 8 p.m. on Sunday, Hilary was positioned approximately 105 miles northwest of San Diego, moving north-northwest at 28 mph, with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Forecasters anticipate the storm to move near the coast of Southern California, causing “catastrophic and life-threatening flooding” in Northern Baja California and parts of the Southwest U.S. until Monday.
“Intense heavy rainfall associated with Hilary is expected across the Southwestern United States through early Monday morning,” stated the NHC in its update.
Rainfall estimates range from 3 to 6 inches, with isolated areas potentially experiencing up to 10 inches in Southern California and Southern Nevada.
A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for the California-Mexico border to Point Mugu, the Catalina Island, and from San Felipe to Puerto Penasco, Mexico.
Additionally, there is a slight possibility of a brief tornado across southeast California, northwest Arizona, southern Nevada, and far southwest Utah on Sunday night.
Tropical Storm Hilary made landfall following its downgrade from a hurricane on Sunday. Despite the downgrade, the storm is still expected to bring “catastrophic and life-threatening flooding” to Baja California and the southwestern United States until Monday, according to the NHC.
Forecasters anticipate Hilary to accelerate along its path, with its first landfall occurring on the west-central coast of the peninsula on Sunday morning, followed by its trajectory across southern California in the afternoon.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency for a significant portion of southern California in light of the forecasted rainfall of 3 to 6 inches, with isolated areas potentially experiencing up to 10 inches. These levels are deemed “dangerous to catastrophic.”
This marks the first officially recorded landfall of a tropical storm in California since record-keeping began in 1949.
While visiting with California National Guard troops, Governor Newsom proclaimed the state of emergency in San Diego. He has also been in contact with federal officials, including the White House, during the emergency preparations. Currently, over 7,500 personnel are deployed to assist local communities affected by Hurricane Hilary.
“California has thousands of people on the ground working hand-in-hand with federal and local personnel to support communities in Hurricane Hilary’s path with resources, equipment, and expertise,” said Governor Newsom. “We’re mobilizing all of government as we prepare and respond to this unprecedented storm.”
Flash flood warnings have been issued for Los Angeles County, as well as the cities of Los Angeles, Glendale, and Long Beach, according to KTLA news. The National Weather Service’s San Diego office has cautioned that rainfall rates of 2 to 4 inches per hour are possible. Residents have been advised to move to higher ground and be cautious of the potential for mudslides in the mountains and canyons.
Some areas in Los Angeles may receive up to 10 inches of rain by Tuesday. Southern California faces a 70% risk of flash flooding.
Due to flooding, Death Valley’s main highway, State Route 190, has been closed. Death Valley National Park is under a flood advisory until 3 p.m., and most roads within the park are inaccessible. The National Park Service warns that emergency services may not be able to respond and that the park could experience power outages, communication disruptions, and a lack of potable water.
To safeguard their ships from potential damage, the U.S. Navy has moved some of its vessels out to sea, starting with the nuclear-powered USS Nimitz aircraft carrier at Naval Base San Diego.
In Mexico’s Santa Rosalia town, located on the eastern coast of Baja California, one person drowned after their vehicle was swept away. Four others were rescued, according to NBC News.
In Arizona, the areas at risk for excessive rain have expanded, placing the city of Phoenix in the “marginal risk” category of 5%, according to NWS forecasters.
Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs is closely monitoring Hurricane Hilary. She has met with officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and U.S. Customs and Border Protection to prepare for the storm’s impact.
In Nevada, a flood advisory has been issued for much of the Las Vegas area until Monday afternoon. Forecasters have warned of potential flash flooding, particularly in the western Mojave desert.
Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo has also declared a state of emergency and activated 100 National Guardsmen to support Southern Nevada.
The arrival of the former Hurricane Hilary has brought relief to the U.S. Southwest, which has been enduring weeks of record-breaking high temperatures. In Las Vegas, the temperature reached a high of 79 degrees on Saturday, marking the lowest recorded high temperature ever for August 19.
