Hurricane Hilary is expected to bring heavy rainfall and flooding to parts of the southwestern US and California as it moves across the region. The storm, which rapidly intensified from a tropical storm to a Category 4 hurricane in just 24 hours, is forecasted to dump more than a year’s worth of rain in parts of California, Nevada, and Arizona. This has prompted a rare Level 4 threat for excessive rainfall in Southern California, the first of its kind to be issued for this area.
As of Friday afternoon, Hilary was located about 325 miles south of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, with sustained winds of 130 mph. The storm is expected to maintain its Category 4 strength as it approaches Mexico’s Baja California peninsula. Hurricane and tropical storm warnings and watches have been issued for Baja California and the Los Angeles area, with the possibility of landfall in California as a tropical storm.
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has warned that there are still uncertainties regarding the storm’s track, which could impact the forecast for the most intense rain and wind. However, the center projects that Hilary’s core will be near the central portion of Baja California on Saturday night and move inland over southern California by Sunday night. Strong winds and heavy rains are expected to precede the hurricane’s center.
The potential for excessive rainfall is a significant concern, as high risks are responsible for the majority of flood-related damage and deaths. Southern parts of California and Nevada could receive 3 to 5 inches of rain, with isolated amounts of up to 10 inches. Central parts of these states, as well as western Arizona and southwest Utah, are expected to receive 1 to 3 inches of rain. Some of the driest parts of California, including Death Valley, could see multiple years’ worth of precipitation in a single day.
Authorities in Southern California have been preparing for the storm, issuing flood watches and warnings, as well as warning of high surf, rip currents, and coastal flooding. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is particularly concerned about protecting the homeless community, which comprises a significant portion of the population. Efforts are being made to provide temporary housing and outreach teams are working to inform those in vulnerable areas about the storm.
In addition to Hurricane Hilary, the Atlantic is also experiencing an increase in tropical activity. Four separate areas of concern stretch across the basin, with one area in the Gulf of Mexico posing a potential threat to the United States. This area of low pressure may strengthen and acquire tropical characteristics over the western Gulf by the middle of the week.
Overall, both the East Pacific and the Atlantic are experiencing active tropical activity, with authorities closely monitoring the development of these storms.
Original Story at www.cnn.com – 2023-08-19 03:47:00