Hurricane Hilary downgraded as storm to cause ‘life-threatening flooding’ in California

Southern California is bracing for heavy rainfall and strong winds as Hurricane Hilary is set to hit San Diego on Sunday, based on the storm’s projected trajectory.

On Saturday evening, the National Hurricane Center determined that Hilary is a Category 1 storm, downgrading it from its earlier projections as it continues its path from the Pacific Ocean to Mexico’s Baja California peninsula. Hilary is expected to enter the San Diego area Sunday.

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Bringing large swells to the area, the National Hurricane Center issued a warning that the rainfall will likely produce “catastrophic and life-threatening flooding.”

“These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions,” a Sunday morning update reads.

The first-ever tropical storm warning was issued for much of Southern California, with millions of people on high alert from the areas north of Los Angeles all the way down to the U.S.-Mexico border. 

San Diego County officials declared a state of emergency on Saturday evening, preparing for the anticipated powerful winds, which were last reported to be gusting at 85 miles per hour by the National Hurricane Center.

Winds were beginning to “strengthen along and below the coastal slopes of the mountains” in the San Diego County region as of 8:30 a.m. ET morning.

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“Rainfall amounts of 3 to 6 inches, with isolated amounts of 10 inches, are expected across portions of southern California and southern Nevada,” the National Hurricane Center said, adding the most intense rainfall would come Sunday and move into Monday morning. Heavy rains could flood rivers, creeks, and streams and bring a runoff of debris in some areas.

As Los Angeles plans for the weather, the city’s Emergency Operation Center is being activated at Level 2. Mayor Karen Bass detailed plans Saturday evening to “open temporary emergency shelters for unhoused Angelenos located near areas at risk of flooding.”