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Learn why Hurricane Hillary was the first storm of its kind since 1939
01:47 - source:CNN
Editor's Note:Read our coverage of Hurricane HillarySunday here.
CNN—
California Governor Gavin Newsom on Saturdaydeclare a state of emergencyMuch of Southern California braced for a historic hurricane Saturday, with extreme rainfall and flooding expected.
'More than 7,500 boots have been deployed on the ground' to help averthurricane HillaryAccording to a release from his office.
"Today, Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency for much of Southern California to support Hurricane Hillary's response and recovery efforts while the state continues to mobilize and coordinate resources."
Live Updates: Hurricane Hillary poses major flood risk for California
The storm, which could bring more than a year's worth of rain to parts of the Southwest, weakened from a Category 2 storm to a Category 1 storm Saturday night as it pushed toward California, according to the National Hurricane Center. The center said the storm had maximum sustained winds of 90 mph.
The storm picked up speed and moved faster than expected, currently moving at 18 mph and is currently 535 miles southeast of San Diego. Hillary is expected to continue to weaken as it moves north-northwest through cooler waters toward southern California.
Residents in the southwest are bracing for "catastrophic, life-threatening flooding" as the system is expected to hit the region as a rare tropical storm, with the worst impact expected Sunday into Monday.
Flooding from the storm will come ahead of Hillary's windy core. According to the Bureau of Meteorology, these winds could arrive as early as Sunday morning, along with increasingly dangerous rain.National Hurricane Center.
Volunteers from the West Orange County Community Response Team load sandbags for local residents as the hurricane threatens.
"Hillary's speed has increased and her orbit has moved slightly to the east. This results in the most influential period from Sunday morning to Sunday evening," the National Weather Service in San Diego said.
The threat triggered California's first-ever tropical storm warning, which stretched from the state's southern border to north of Los Angeles.
As Hillary approaches, heavy rainfall is expected for the southwest early next week, with the most intense Sunday into Monday.
Parts of Southern California and Nevada could see 3 to 6 inches of rain, with up to 10 inches in some places, the center said. Elsewhere, you can expect a thickness of 1 to 3 inches.
While Hillary's core will pack a powerful punch, the National Hurricane Center warns that strong winds and rain will begin ahead of it.
"Flooding preparations from the rainfall should be completed as soon as possible as heavy rain will increase ahead of the center on Saturday," the hurricane center said.explain.
The center of the storm is expected to hit San Diego Sunday afternoon (between 3:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.). Chris Heiser, executive director of the city's Office of Emergency Services, said at a press conference Sunday at "It's a powerful storm that's different from what we normally see in San Diego," he said.
In anticipation of the storm's approach, officials in the region have begun preparing for hazardous road conditions, damaged electrical infrastructure and dangerous flooding.
Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo announced Friday that 100 state National Guard troops will be deployed to southern Nevada, where severe flooding is likely.
President Joe Biden said at a news conference Friday that FEMA has provided personnel and supplies if needed to respond in Southern California or elsewhere in the region.
Southern California is scrambling to get ready
If Hillary makes landfall in California as a tropical storm, it would be the first such storm in the state's nearly 84 years, according to NOAA.
Parts of Southern California are at high risk for excessive rainfall, a Level 4 threat on the region's first ever Level 4 threat. This level of risk is very rare. The study found that from 2010 to 2020, the number of days declared high risk averaged less than 4% per year, but were responsible for 83% of all flood-related losses and 39% of all flood-related deaths.Weather Forecast Centershow.
Medano Beach, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, taken on August 18, 2023, as Hurricane Hillary approached the coast.
Nancy Ward, director of the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services, said Hillary "could be one of the most destructive storms to hit California in over a decade."
"Without a doubt," she said at a news conference on Saturday. "It's a very, very dangerous and significant storm."
Ward said the state operations center is active 24/7, coordinating response operations and taking requests for resources from the southern part of the state to "ensure that every need in its area is met."
Ward said first responders were also pre-deployed in the southern part of the state for a quick response.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom's office said Friday that the state had water rescue teams, the California National Guard and flood control ready ahead of Clinton's arrival.
Highway maintenance crews will also work around the clock to help keep the roads safe, the governor's office said.
Southern California Edison - serving more than 15 million people in the region -explainHillary is expected to affect most of her service areas on Thursday. The company said it was preparing for a power outage, butencourage the residentsGather supplies like flashlights, external battery chargers, and freezers.
Additionally, Transportation Secretary Tony Tavares said roads may be closed "proactively" out of an abundance of caution to ensure safety.
Brian Ferguson, deputy director of the Office of Emergency Services, told CNN on Saturday that the office was "all in" to prepare for Hurricane Hillary. The office specifically monitors desert areas to prepare for heavy rains and potential flooding, he said.
"We're very concerned about the desert areas east of San Diego and Los Angeles. Certain parts of those areas can get double their annual water use in a single day," he said. "Obviously we will be keeping a close eye on flooding, mudslides and mudslides in the area and looking at burn marks from the fires that have occurred in recent years."
Published by the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Departmentevacuation warningAvailable in communities such as Oak Glen, Forest Falls, Mountain Home Village, Angelus Oaks and Northeast Yucaipa. Visitors to Catalina Island and residents with medical, transportation and functional needs are 'strongly' urged to leave the island ahead of the stormin the press releaseFrom the city of Avalon.
With homeless communities especially at risk of flooding, officials in Los Angeles and San Diego said they were conducting outreach and providing temporary housing. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said it also mapped high-risk camps and issued aerial advisories about the storm.
"We hope the storm causes no damage and more importantly no injuries," Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said at a news conference Friday. "But we will prepare for the worst. Not only to help people in our county, but if we are not impacted or impacted, we will be a resource for other neighboring counties as needed."
An Instacart delivery driver fills a case with bottled water as people buy emergency supplies ahead of Hurricane Hillary at a Costco warehouse in Hawthorne, California, on August 19, 2023.
San Diego has also been clearing storm drains, clearing streets and preparing equipment over the past few days, Mayor Todd Gloria said Friday.
The storm threat also prompted Major League Baseball to revise its weekend schedule in the region, moving Sunday's game with the Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres to a doubleheader Saturday. Sunday's MLS match between the LA Galaxy and Los Angeles FC has been moved to a later date.
Additionally, Los Angeles officials announced Saturday that all county parks, as well as aquatic centers, beaches, playgrounds, restrooms and trails, will be closed Monday and Tuesday due to expected heavy rain and flooding. A concert featuring "My Dressing Gown" and "Fleet Foxes" scheduled for Sunday at the Hollywood Bowl was postponed in coordination with the parks department.
CNNs Mary Gilbert, Kevin Dotson, Andy Rose, Taylor Romine, Alison Chinchar, Natasha Chen, Raja Razek og Keith Allen bidrog til denne rapport.