Hurricane Hilary on path to Southern California: Live updates
California prepares for Hurricane Hilary
Southern California has received its first tropical storm warning as “big and mighty” Hurricane Hilary targets Mexico and the region in the next 48 hours.
The National Hurricane Center says the watch is unprecedented for the region and Hilary is expected to bring heavy rain and a risk of flash flooding from the Baja California peninsula to Nevada.
On Friday, the hurricane was about 360 miles southwest of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, with maximum sustained winds of 145 miles per hour.
“It’s rare-nearly unprecedented in the modern record-that a tropical system like this moves through Southern California,” the Weather Channel’s Greg Postel told CBS News.
The last time California was hit by a tropical storm was in 1939 before they were even given names, and the state has been battered by subtropical storms in the years since. That storm killed 45 people, most by drowning.
The hurricane is expected to hit Baja Mexico over the weekend, weaken and make contact with southern California Sunday night as a tropical storm.
“Right now, it looks like we’re still going to have a tropical storm as it makes its way into southern California, but it will weaken fairly quickly,” said National Weather Service meteorologist Brandt Maxwell.
Southern California is getting tropical storm surveillance for the first time as Hurricane Hilary approaches
From the Baja California peninsula to Nevada, Hilary anticipated heavy rains and a risk of flash flooding.
Graeme MassieAug 19, 2023 2:05 am
Joshua Tree National Park closed due to tropical storm
Due to Hurricane Hilary, Joshua Tree NP may experience heavy rain in/around the park from Saturday 19th to Monday 21st. Park management is initiating several closures detailed in the following thread: pic.twitter.com/slCb0Ih63B
— Joshua Tree NPS (@JoshuaTreeNPS) August 18, 2023
Graeme MassieAug 19, 2023 1:31 am
LA Mayor Karen Bass says the city is “prepared” for a historic storm.
“The city of LA is mobilizing in advance of Hurricane Hilary,” Ms. Bass said Friday.
“This is potentially an unprecedented extreme weather event for Los Angeles, Southern California and the rest of the West Coast. The city is prepared. We’re not waiting for the storm to hit. We have already started working 24/7 to stay one step ahead and be ready as soon as the storm hits our shores.”
(AFP via Getty Images)
Graeme MassieAug 19, 2023 1:01 am
Tropical storm monitoring now covers all of Los Angeles County
The Tropical Strom Watch has been expanded to include all of LOS ANGELES County and the mountains, valleys and foothills of Ventura County. pic.twitter.com/zL6SX9vO50
— NWS Los Angeles (@NWSLosAngeles) August 18, 2023
Graeme MassieAug 18, 2023 11:40 p.m
Los Angeles is bracing for a tropical storm that will hit over the weekend
Graeme MassieAug 18, 2023 9:05 p.m
Welcome to the Hurricane Hilary blog
This is a live blog following Hurricane Hilary as it makes landfall over Mexico and into the United States over the weekend.
Graeme MassieAug 18, 2023 7:12 p.m
