Tropical storm Hilary makes landfall, as Californian streets empty ahead of 81mph winds and torrential rainfall which FEMA warns could cause horror floods
Hilary has been downgraded 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.
Hilary made landfall in Mexico late Sunday morning over the northern Baja California Peninsula with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph as the storm system moves to the northwest at speeds of 25 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center.
It was about 215 miles southeast of San Diego as of about 11 a.m. local time on Sunday, and it was due 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 engulfed parts of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula.
Hilary has downgraded 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 dump 3 to 6 inches of rain — or as much as 10 inches in some areas — and generate damaging winds that could knock out power for many
While a majority of people sought shelter from the storm, others braved wet conditions to bask in the storm’s precursor that had grown to the size of the state of Arizona
Californians have pulled out their recording equipment and cameras to document the menacing gray skies, rainfall and panicked storage, while the storm cell promises the potential for history making torrential rains in the area.
The storm is predicted to dump 3 to 6 inches of rain — or as much as 10 inches in some areas — and generate damaging wind gusts of up to 80 mph that could knock out the power for many.
FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell told CBS during an interview Sunday that residents can expect “significant impact.”
While total rainfall is unlikely to exceed that from comparable storms on the East Coast, people should not downplay the threat, Criswell added.
“People really need to take this storm in California seriously,” she reiterated ABC.
Chilling images of empty streets have given a small glimpse of things to come as residents slam shutters in preparation for the treacherous weather
Supermarket shelves reveal the urgency of a community unfamiliar with such storms as stores emptied
A few stragglers were seen in raincoats with umbrellas as angry seas slammed into a pier in Imperial Beach, while some walked along the shoreline while they still could in San Diego
“I think it’s interesting that total rainfall is not like what we’re seeing in some of our Atlantic storms and Gulf storms, but it’s going to be really potentially devastating for them in these desert regions.”
Panic stockpiling and chilling images of empty streets have provided a small glimpse of things to come as residents throw down the shutters in preparation for the treacherous weather.
California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency for much of his constituency on Saturday, adding: “We are mobilizing the entire government as we prepare for and respond to this unprecedented storm.”
While a majority of people sought shelter from the storm, others braved wet conditions to bask in the storm’s precursor that had grown to the size of the state of Arizona.
A few stragglers were seen in raincoats with umbrellas as angry seas slammed into a pier in Imperial Beach, while some walked along the shoreline while they still could.
Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency for much of Southern California to support Tropical Storm Hilary response and recovery efforts as the state continues to mobilize and coordinate resources to prevent predicted impacts
Long Beach Fire Department volunteers and members fill sandbags on Belmont Shore Beach for Hilary
A vehicle splashes through puddles along a street that begins to flood in the Van Nuys section of Los Angeles as a tropical storm moves into the area
Surfers enjoyed the dizzying walls of oceans built on shore with thrill seekers trying to make the most of the huge swell at Dana Point – despite beaches in the region being closed.
Supermarket shelves reveal the urgency of a community unfamiliar with such storms as stores remained gutted.
Only canned fish and in some cases plain white bread available at traditionally stocked stores, with health-crazy Angelinos sniffing out all the healthier whole-grain alternatives.
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power has armed itself with a full staff and crews ready to work to restore power and clear fallen trees or power lines, the utility said in a statement.
The city’s reservoirs have “sufficient capacity” to handle any increased runoff due to possible flooding, it added.
Southern California electric utility Edison, which serves more than 15 million people in the region, said Hilary is on track to impact much of its service area.
Forecasters expected Hilary to make history as Southern California’s first tropical storm in 84 years, bringing flash floods, mudslides, isolated tornadoes, strong winds and power outages.
Peak gusts can reach 81 mph in Joshua Tree National Park and 67 mph in Wrightwood
The company said it is preparing to respond to outages but urged residents to gather supplies, including flashlights, external battery chargers and ice chests.
Forecasters warned that there could be historic flooding, especially for San Bernardino and Inyo counties, with Death Valley and Morongo Basin expected to see the biggest floods.
Roads may be closed in Death Valley and Highway 62 according to the Los Angeles Times.
It said high-risk areas in LA County include the San Gabriel Mountains and the Antelope Valley — with rain causing landslides, debris flows, mudslides and rock slides in those parts.
Californians have pulled out their recording equipment and cameras to document the menacing gray skies, rainfall and panicked storage as the storm cell promises the potential for history by making torrential rains in the area
Peak gusts can reach 81 mph in Joshua Tree National Park and 67 mph in Wrightwood.
Peak wind gusts can reach 100 km/h in Anaheim, 100 km/h 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, possible 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, 29 in downtown Los Angeles and 26 at Redondo Beach.