Tropical Storm Hilary wreaked havoc across Southern California. The storm brought unprecedented rainfall overnight, resulting in flooded streets, toppled power lines, and dangerous mudslides. However, despite the widespread chaos, it is a relief to report that no lives were lost due to the storm, and fears of a catastrophic disaster have gradually diminished.
Tropical Storm Hilary made landfall in California, causing significant rainfall across the region. According to National Weather Service coastal areas experienced flooding of 4 to 5 inches (10 to 12 cm) of rain, while the mountainous regions received a shocking 10 inches (25 cm) or more. He said it was the first tropical storm landfall in Southern California since September 25, 1939.
At 8 a.m. PDT on Monday, Hilary had a maximum sustained wind speed of 35 mph and was located approximately 115 miles west-northwest of Elko, Nevada.
The National Hurricane Centre has issued a tropical storm warning for Southern California. This marks the first time such a warning has been issued for the region, highlighting the severity of the impending weather event. In response to this imminent threat, California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency, taking proactive measures to ensure the safety and well-being of residents.
In Santa Rosalia, Mexico
In a devastating turn of events, a single individual lost their life on Saturday in the town of Santa Rosalia, Mexico. According to a report by The Associated Press, the unfortunate incident occurred when a vehicle was covered by an overflowing stream, leading to a tragic drowning incident.
Rescue workers successfully saved four individuals from a dangerous situation, as confirmed by Edith Aguilar Villavicencio, the mayor of Mulege township.
Highways were blocked with mud and stones, water flooded drainage systems, and tree branches crashed throughout towns from San Diego to Los Angeles. Palm Springs and other desert cities in the Coachella Valley saw floods sweep away dozens of vehicles. Floodwaters were drained out of Eisenhower Medical Center’s emergency department in Rancho Mirage.
President Joe Biden is travelling to Hawaii on Monday to assess the effects of the destructive wildfires that have ravaged Maui. In light of the impending storm, the President has issued a call to action, urging individuals within the storm’s trajectory to exercise caution and heed the advice provided by state and local authorities.
President Biden has taken action by requesting the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to dispatch personnel and essential supplies to California. This decision comes as the region grapples with pressing challenges and requires immediate assistance.
Mr Biden revealed that the Coast Guard has strategically positioned aircraft to facilitate rapid deployment in critical situations.
The President emphasized the importance of ongoing coordination with California, Nevada, and Arizona to ensure that any additional resources required by these states are promptly provided.
Los Angeles Unified School District, the second largest school district in the United States, made a significant announcement on Sunday evening of the closure of all schools, campuses, and after-school programmes for Monday.
The California Department of Parks and Recreation has decided to temporarily close all state beaches in San Diego and Orange County, along with several state parks.
Disneyland announced its decision to implement early closures for its parks on Sunday. Disney California Adventure Park will close its gates at 9 p.m., followed by Disneyland Park at 10 p.m. The Downtown Disney District will close for its activities at 11 p.m.
As Hilary approaches the United States, the nation is experiencing disruptions, with cancelled and delayed flights, closed amusement parks, and rescheduled baseball games among the early impacts.
Southwest Airlines has decided to cancel many flights, causing inconvenience for numerous passengers. According to FlightAware, a real-time flight status tracking source, over 700 flights scheduled for Sunday and nearly 190 flights set for Monday have been affected by these cancellations. The recent changes have affected major carriers, including United, American, Delta, and JetBlue.
The storm’s intensity and potential impact have prompted city, county, and state officials to declare an emergency.
Climate scientist Daniel Swain from the University of California, Los Angeles, described Hilary’s rainfall as extraordinary and unprecedented. Swain’s assessment highlights the magnitude of this extreme weather phenomenon. In a recent statement, climate scientist Swain emphasized the connection between rising extreme precipitation levels and global warming. In an era of rising global temperatures, scientists have discovered that the atmosphere’s ability to retain water vapor experiences significant growth.