Severe weather warnings are in effect for certain parts of Southern California this week, including San Diego and Los Angeles, as the West Coast braces for potentially dangerous flooding and hazardous winds spurred by Hurricane Hilary.
A tropical storm and flash flood warnings were sent out Friday night, marking the first tropical storm warning for the region in the National Hurricane Center’s history. Hurricanes and tropical storms are rare in Southern California.
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“Catastrophic and life-threatening flooding is likely over Baja California and the Southwestern U.S. through Monday,” the National Hurricane Center warned Saturday.
Here is everything you need to know about the hurricane headed for Southern California and the Southwest U.S.
What regions can expect heavy rainfall:
Southern California and parts of the Southwest are bracing for heavy rain and flooding, with the National Weather Service in Los Angeles warning of “dangerous rip currents” and south swells ranging from four to 10 feet.
The storm is expected to affect the San Diego and Los Angeles regions, Lake Havasu, Death Valley, Arizona, and Nevada. Death Valley could see more than twice its annual rainfall over the course of just three days, and some parts of Southern California are expected to see more than 10 inches of rain, according to the Washington Post.
“Preparations for the impacts of flooding from rainfall should be completed as soon as possible, as heavy rain will increase beginning Saturday,” the National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center said.
Hilary is expected to weaken to a tropical storm by the time it approaches the Golden State over the weekend and early next week but is still expected to cause major damage. The hurricane has already started weakening to a Category 3 with sustained winds of 125 miles per hour as of Saturday morning. Hilary was a Category 4 on Friday.
Threat of damaging winds:
The main concern for the Southwest is the rain, which could bring flash floods. But high winds are also a major concern, and their potential to bring down powerlines and knock over trees.
The coastlines and high elevations are expected to be the most affected, with deserts and mountains seeing possible wind gusts of more than 70 miles per hour. But even the metropolitan areas closer to the coast could have gusts up to 40 and 50 mph.
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Officials are urging residents to prepare for possible power outages by charging devices and having multiple ways to receive emergency information.
If Hilary does make landfall as a tropical storm, it would be the first tropical storm to hit California in 84 years. The last tropical cyclone hit the West Coast in 1939. The severe storm made landfall near Long Beach, California, causing 93 deaths across the southern part of the state and millions of dollars in damages.
