Hurricane Hilary is approaching landfall on Mexico’s Baja California peninsula as a powerful Category 1 hurricane. The storm is expected to bring heavy rain, causing “catastrophic and life-threatening” flooding across the southwestern U.S.
According to the National Weather Center in Miami, as of 5 a.m. Sunday, the storm is very close to the Baja coast south of Ensenada and about 285 miles (460 kilometers) from San Diego, California. Although the maximum sustained wind speed has dropped to 80 mph (130 kph), heavy rains continue to spread northward over the peninsula.
Meteorologists have issued a warning that despite weakening, Hurricane Hilary still poses a significant threat.
Tragically, one person drowned on Saturday in the Mexican town of Santa Rosalia when a vehicle was swept away in an overflowing stream. Rescue workers managed to save four other individuals. The mayor of Mulege township, Edith Aguilar Villavicencio, reported the incident.
While it’s unclear whether the fatality is directly related to the hurricane, video footage posted by local officials shows torrents of water rushing through the town’s streets.
Forecasters predict that Hurricane Hilary will make history as the first tropical storm to hit Southern California in 84 years. The storm is expected to bring flash floods, mudslides, isolated tornadoes, high winds, and power outages. As a precaution, an evacuation advisory has been issued for Santa Catalina Island, located 23 miles (37 kilometers) off the coast, urging residents and beachgoers to leave the area.
Meteorologist Elizabeth Adams from the National Weather Service San Diego office warns that Southern California’s mountains and deserts could experience rainfall of up to 3 inches (7.62 centimeters) per hour. This intense rainfall may lead to widespread and life-threatening flash floods.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency, and officials have urged residents to complete their preparations before sundown on Saturday, emphasizing that it may be too late by Sunday.
Hurricane Hilary is the latest major climate disaster to cause devastation across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Last week, the island of Maui in Hawaii experienced a deadly wildfire that claimed over 100 lives and caused extensive damage to the historic town of Lahaina, making it the deadliest wildfire in the U.S. in over a century. Meanwhile, Canada is struggling with an unprecedented fire season, with firefighters still battling blazes.
Prior to its expected border crossing on Sunday, Hilary has already brought heavy rain and flooding to Mexico and the southwestern U.S. Forecasters predict that the storm could dump up to 10 inches (25 centimeters) of rain, equivalent to a year’s worth of rainfall in some areas of southern California and southern Nevada.
Despite the storm’s downgraded status, Jamie Rhome, Deputy Director of the U.S. National Hurricane Center, emphasizes that the threat is still significant, especially in terms of flooding. He advises people to remain vigilant and not let their guard down.
Officials in Southern California are reinforcing sand berms to protect low-lying coastal communities against surf during this period. (Image: AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
Additionally, meteorologists expect Hurricane Hilary to generate “life-threatening” surf and rip currents along Mexico’s Pacific coast, with waves potentially reaching heights of 40 feet (12 meters). Many people have sought refuge in storm shelters in the twin resorts of Los Cabos, and firefighters have rescued a family in San Jose del Cabo following heavy rain and wind.
In Tijuana, Rafael Carrillo, the head of the fire department, expresses concerns related to the city’s steep hillsides, which are home to many residents. Carrillo advises residents to be cautious and evacuate immediately if they hear noises or notice cracks in the ground, as it could weaken and lead to collapse.
Tijuana has closed all beaches and established several storm shelters at sports complexes and government offices. Mexico’s navy has evacuated 850 individuals from islands off the Baja coast and deployed nearly 3,000 troops for emergency operations. Meanwhile, police in La Paz, the capital of Baja California Sur state, have been patrolling closed beaches to prevent swimmers from entering the dangerous surf.
Hurricane Hilary threatens ‘catastrophic and life-threatening’ flooding in Mexico and California
