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Learn why Hurricane Hilary is the first storm of its kind since 1939
01:47 - Source:CNN
Editor's Note:Read our coverage of Hurricane Hilarysunday here.
CNN-
California Governor Gavin Newsom on Saturdaydeclared a state of emergencyLarge parts of Southern California are bracing for a historic hurricane that is expected to bring extreme rain and flooding on Saturday.
There are already “more than 7,500 shoes” spread across the floor to help protect against impactsHuragan Hillaryaccording to a statement from his office.
“Today, Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in much of Southern California to support Hurricane Hillary's response and recovery efforts as the state continues to mobilize and coordinate resources in anticipation of the storm's anticipated impact, which will begin today,” says the ad. . .
Live Updates: Hurricane Hilary Will Cause Severe Flooding Risk in California
The storm, which could reduce its annual rainfall in parts of the southwest, weakened from a Category 2 storm to a Category 1 storm Saturday night as it moved toward California, according to the National Hurricane Center. The center said maximum winds of 90 mph persisted through the storm.
The storm has accelerated and is moving faster than expected, currently moving at 30 mph and now located 535 miles southeast of San Diego. Hilary is expected to continue to weaken as it moves northwest through cooler waters towards Southern California.
Residents of the southwest are bracing for "catastrophic and life-threatening flooding" as the system is expected to hit the region as a rare tropical storm, with the worst impacts expected Sunday through Monday.
Heavy storm-induced rains will start arriving long before the core of Hilary's strongest wind. According to the authorities, these winds could arrive on Sunday morning along with more productive and dangerous rains.National Hurricane Center.
West Orange County Community Emergency Response Team volunteers carry sandbags for local residents as the hurricane approaches.
“Hilary improved a bit with her trajectory shifting slightly east. As a result, the period from Sunday morning to Sunday afternoon is the period of greatest impact," the San Diego National Weather Service said.
The threat prompted California's first tropical storm warning, which stretches from the southern state line north of Los Angeles.
In the southwest, heavy rain is forecast for early next week, with stronger conditions Sunday through Monday as Hilary approaches.
The center said parts of southern California and Nevada received between 7 and 15 centimeters of rain, with up to 25 centimeters in some places. Otherwise, quantities from 1 to 3 inches are designed.
While Hilary's core will deal a powerful blow, the NHC warned that high winds and rain would kick in well in advance of its arrival.
"Preparations for the effects of flooding caused by the rains must be completed as soon as possible as the heavy rains will intensify ahead of the hurricane center on Saturday," the hurricane center added.he said.
The center of the storm is expected to hit San Diego around 3 pm on Sunday. and 6 p.m., the city's executive director of emergency services, Chris Heiser, said at a news conference on Sunday. "It's a huge storm with a huge range, unlike what we usually see in San Diego," he said.
In anticipation of the storm, authorities across the region began to prepare for dangerous road conditions, damaged electrical infrastructure and dangerous flooding.
Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo announced on Friday that 100 National Guard troops will be deployed in southern Nevada, where severe flooding is possible.
President Joe Biden said at a news conference on Friday that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has preemptively mobilized personnel and supplies to respond to Southern California or other parts of the region if needed.
Southern California is trying to get ready
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, if Clinton makes landfall in California as a tropical storm, it will be the state's first such storm in nearly 84 years.
Parts of Southern California are at high risk of excessive rainfall – this is also the first 4 out of 4 gravity issued for the region. This level of risk is extremely rare. Between 2010 and 2020, high-risk messages were issued on average less than 4% of the days of the year, but accounted for 83% of all flood damage and 39% of all victims. fatalities from floods; according to the studyweather forecast centerto present.
Medano Beach in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico depicts Hurricane Hilary approaching the coast on August 18, 2023.
Nancy Ward, director of the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services, said Hilary "could be one of the most destructive storms to hit California in over a decade."
“Don't be fooled,” he told a news conference on Saturday. "This is a very, very dangerous and significant storm."
The state's operations center is open 24/7 to coordinate rescue efforts and take requests for resources across the southern half of the state to "ensure they don't go unfulfilled in their areas," Ward said. .
According to Ward, emergency teams have also been assigned to the entire southern part of the state so they can respond quickly.
The state prepared water rescue teams, California National Guard personnel and flood control equipment ahead of Clinton's arrival, California Governor Gavin Newsom's office said on Friday.
The governor's office said road maintenance crews would also work 24 hours a day to keep the roads safe.
Southern California energy company Edison, serving more than 15 million people in the region,he saidThursday, Hilary is on track to make an impact in much of her service area. The company said it was preparing to respond to the holiday, butthe inhabitants calledto gather supplies including flashlights, external battery chargers and ice packs.
In addition, according to Tony Tavares, director of the Department of Transport, the roads may be closed "as a precaution" due to additional precautions to ensure safety.
Brian Ferguson, deputy director of the Office of Emergency Services, told CNN on Saturday that the office had "everybody involved" to prepare for Hurricane Hillary. He said the office is keeping an eye on desert areas, preparing for heavy rain and possible flooding.
“We are looking at our desert areas east of San Diego and Los Angeles. Some parts of these areas can receive twice the annual amount of water in one day, he said. "We will certainly be on the lookout for flash floods, landslides and debris flows in the area, as well as signs of burns caused by wildfires that have occurred in recent years."
Posted by the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Officeevacuation noticefor the communities of Oak Glen, Forest Falls, Mountain Home Village, Angelus Oaks and Northeast Yucaipa. Visitors to Catalina Island, as well as residents with medical, access and functional needs, were "strongly encouraged" to leave the island before the storm.in the press releasefrom the city of Avalon.
With the homeless community at particular risk of flooding, authorities in Los Angeles and San Diego say they are providing information and offering temporary shelter. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said it was also planning hazard camps and an aerial announcement of the storm.
"We are hopeful that the storm causes no damage and, more importantly, no deaths," Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna told a news conference on Friday. “But we are going to prepare for the worst case scenario, not only to help the population of our municipality, but if we are not affected or affected, we will be a resource for other neighboring municipalities, if necessary”.
An Instacart delivery driver carries cases of bottled water as people buy emergency supplies for Hurricane Hilary at a Costco warehouse in Hawthorne, Calif., on Aug. 19, 2023.
Mayor Todd Gloria said Friday that San Diego has also spent the last few days clearing culverts, clearing roads and preparing equipment.
The threat of the storm also prompted Major League Baseball to reschedule the region's weekend schedule, moving Sunday's Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres games to Saturday. Sunday's Major League Soccer games between LA Galaxy and LAFC have been postponed.
Additionally, Los Angeles city officials announced Saturday that all city parks, as well as water resorts, beaches, playgrounds, restrooms and pathways will be closed on Monday and Tuesday in anticipation of heavy rain and flooding. The scheduled Hollywood Bowl Sunday show featuring My Morning Jacket and Fleet Foxes has been rescheduled in consultation with the parks department.
Mary Gilbert, Kevin Dotson, Andy Rose, Taylor Romine, Alison Chinchar, Natasha Chen, Raja Razek and Keith Allen of CNN contributed to the report.