Meteorologist breaks down which areas of the Southwest should brace for heavy rain
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What we covered here
Hurricane Hilary, a Category 1 storm, is expected to bring “catastrophic and life-threatening flooding” to Mexico and parts of the southwestern United States.
The storm — which prompted a first-ever tropical storm warning for Southern California, including Los Angeles and San Diego — is moving faster than originally forecast. It’s now expected to impact the US earlier in the day Sunday, and could drop more than a year’s worth of rain in areas of California, Nevada and Arizona.
If Hilary makes landfall in California as a tropical storm, it will be a rare occurrence – the first such storm there in over 80 years.
President Joe Biden received a briefing from senior staff Saturday about the latest preparedness plans for Hurricane Hilary, and his team’s work with state and local agencies ahead of the storm, the White House said.
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Catalina Island urges vulnerable residents and visitors to leave ahead of Hilary's arrival
From CNN’s Raja Razek
Families evacuating from Catalina Island arrive in Long Beach, California, on Saturday, August 19.
Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images
In advance of expected extreme weather from Hurricane Hilary, officials on Catalina Island — located off the coast of Southern California — are encouraging visitors and residents “that are unable to sustain without electrical power, and those with medical, access and functional needs,” to leave the island Saturday.
The warning was issued due “to a forecast of storm impacts and possibly prolonged SCE utility outages,” a news release from the City of Avalon reads. People trying to leave the small island can depart via the Catalina Express ferry.
Additional resources have been deployed to the island by the LA County Sheriff’s Department and LA County Fire Department, according to the release.
“Red Cross, LA County, and the City of Long Beach will have services available at the Catalina Express Ferry Terminal, including transportation, shelter, and other essential services,” the release reads.
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Hurricane Hilary weakens to a Category 2 storm
From CNN's Gene Norman
Hurricane Hilary has weakened to a Category 2 storm, with maximum sustained winds of 110 miles per hour, according to the latest update from the National Hurricane Center.
The forward speed of the storm increased a bit more to 17 mph. It is currently located 640 miles southeast of San Diego.
Some context: Hilary is expected to continue to weaken as it moves north-northwestward through cooler waters toward Southern California.
While the forecast has always indicated weakened winds by the time the storm reaches the US, the primary source of public safety concern is the sheer amount of rain brought to very dry areas by the storm.
California is prepared to release water from dams if needed, agency director says
From CNN’s Raja Razek
State leaders are working with dam operators in Southern California to make sure facilities are ready to release water this weekend if needed in response to Hurricane Hilary, according to Director of the California Department of Water Resources Karla Nemeth.
The department has opened a state and federal flood operations center, Nemeth said.
“That is where we are monitoring the potential effects of Hurricane Hilary,” she said, adding that the department is in contact with local flood agencies and have “pre-positioned flood-fighting materials and things like sandbags and other materials for the public in the counties of Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Ventura, Santa Barbara and Orange County. We also have pre-positioned flood fight materials in Fresno and Kings County and other Central Valley counties as needed.”
Nemeth strongly advised people to stay home if they do not need to be out on the roads.
“Please take yourself out of the equation,” she said. “We need to make sure all our folks are kept safe, including first responders.”
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Use this checklist to be prepared before and during the storm
From CNN's Christina Maxouris and Doug Criss
Hurricane Hilary headed your way? Don’t panic. There are many steps you can take to protect yourself, your loved ones and your property.
Read it here or download the PDF, which contains links with more details. For anyone in the path of the hurricane, we encourage you to consult these online resources to help stay safe.
Here are some more tips from the National Hurricane Center:
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Sheriff issues evacuation warning for some mountain and foothill communities east of LA
From CNN’s Matt Phillips
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department has issued an evacuation warning for the communities of Oak Glen, Forest Falls, Mountain Home Village, Angelus Oaks, and Northeast Yucaipa, according to a post on the department’s Instagram.
Hurricane Hilary, which currently a Category 3 storm, is on track to bring heavy rainfall to the region. Dangerous flooding and mudslides are also possible.
Some context: San Bernardino County is east of Los Angeles, and the communities listed are located in mountain or foothill areas.
An evacuation warning is not a mandatory order that residents leave home, but meant to prepare them that they should be ready to leave at any time. Particularly vulnerable people may choose to evacuate immediately.
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State official warns Californians not to underestimate "very, very dangerous" storm
From CNN’s Raja Razek
Nancy Ward, Director of the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services, speaks at a news conference Saturday, August 19.
KCRA
The director of the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services issued a stark warning in a news conference Saturday, saying the approaching Hurricane Hilary “could be one of the most devastating storms that we’ve had hit California in more than a decade.”
According to Ward, heavy rainfall and strong winds associated with the storm have already begun and will be felt “well beyond the center of the storm entering California.”
The worst of the impacts are expected throughout the day Sunday. You can track the storm here.
Ward’s agency, a disaster response division of the governor’s office known as Cal OES, is activated 24/7 to coordinate the emergency response and help get resources across the southern part of the state.
First responders have also been proactively stationed across Southern California so they can respond to flooding, mudslides and other hazards quickly, Ward said.
“We have pre-positioned high water vehicles with water rescue teams,” the Cal OES director said. “We are also working with utility partners.”
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LA County Parks announce Monday and Tuesday closure due to hurricane
From CNN’s Natasha Chen in Los Angeles
The Los Angeles County Parks system announced Saturday that all county parks, buildings, and facilities will be closed Monday and Tuesday as the region braces for heavy rains, potential flooding and high winds from Hurricane Hilary.
All parks programs and classes as well as aquatic centers, beaches, playgrounds, restrooms and trails will closed, according to a statement issued Saturday.
“While parks are not fenced in, visitors are encouraged to stay home,” the parks department said.
Sunday’s My Morning Jacket and Fleet Foxes concert at the Hollywood Bowl has also been postponed. The concert will now take place on Monday, August 28, the iconic outdoor venue announced on its website Saturday afternoon.
“County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation will close Park facilities on Sunday (August 20) and Monday (August 21), in partnership with the LA Phil this includes the Hollywood Bowl and The Ford,” according to the postponement announcement.
CNN’s Keith Allen and Heather Sinclair contributed to this report.
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California regulators warn employers about worker safety during storm
From CNN’s Josh Campbell
California’s occupational regulating agency is warning employers of their duty to protect workers from safety issues associated with Hurricane Hilary.
The agency said employers are required to inspect worksites for potential storm hazards and to take appropriate steps to safeguard workers, including through the possible use of telework to ensure the safety of their employees.
Employees can file confidential reports regarding safety concerns with their local Cal/OSHA office, the agency said.
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California emergency official says state is most concerned about deserts and recent burn areas
As Hurricane Hilary threatens to bring life-threatening floods to California, the state is particularly focused on preparing residents in areas that typically receive the least rain — or that were most recently scorched by wildfires.
While on the lookout for mudslides and debris flows, they’ll also focus closely on the “burn scars from fires that have happened in recent years,” Ferguson said.
Residents have been offered sandbags to fortify their property in counties across Southern California, where some of the natural buffers against flooding have been burned away.
Ferguson’s office has also focused especially on “vulnerable Californians: those in hospitals, nursing homes, homeless people or people who live outdoors, and what we can do to get people out of the storm’s path before it arrives,” he told CNN.
Ferguson said the state will be aggressive in its public outreach efforts. California will use its expansive emergency warning systems — including notifications on phones in both English and Spanish — to help convince residents unfamiliar with hurricanes and tropical storms that they need to use caution.
Ferguson’s office, known as Cal OES, serves as a hub for the state’s myriad agencies during major emergencies. While California first responders and government officials are more accustomed to addressing unpredictable disasters — like wildfires and major earthquakes — they’ve emphasized the opportunity to actually prepare ahead of this hazard, given the ability to track hurricanes.
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Hilary is currently a Category 3 hurricane. Here's what that means
Category 2: Winds 96 to 110 mph (Extensive damage – Can uproot trees and break windows)
Category 3: Winds 111 to 129 mph (Devastating damage– Can break windows and doors)
Category 4: Winds 130 to 156 mph (Catastrophic damage – Can tear off roofs)
Category 5: Winds 157 mph or higher (Absolute worst damage – Can level houses and destroy buildings)
Keep in mind: Hilary is expected to weaken to a tropical storm before making landfall in California tomorrow. But that doesn’t mean officials aren’t still concerned about potentially dangerous conditions.
Even as the winds die down, rainfall is expected to remain heavy, according CNN meteorologist Allison Chinchar. Areas of California, Nevada and Arizona that are unaccustomed to rain could suddenly receive a year’s worth or more — and the flooding that could accompany the downpour is the safety issue to watch in the US.
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Hurricane Hilary could dump "multiple years worth of rain" on some areas
Rainfall is the main concern as Hurricane Hilary churns toward Southern California, according to CNN meteorologist Allison Chinchar.
Some rain bands are starting to push into California and western Arizona, and there could be 48 hours of moderate to heavy rainfall.
In the Desert Southwest, even 2 to 4 inches of rain is impactful, Chinchar explained.
Air Force "Hurricane Hunters" make rare trip to the West Coast to fly through Hilary
A mission commander for the US Air Force’s 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, known as the “Hurricane Hunters,” says his unit has flown its first mission to gather information about the storm barreling down on Mexico and the Southwest United States this weekend.
“It was fairly smooth for a hurricane,” Lt. Col. Steven Burton told CNN. He remained on the ground as a pilot flew through the storm, using instruments on the aircraft to collect temperature data, measure wind speed and gauge the relative humidity, sending the findings back to the National Hurricane Center.
The plane also dropped dropsondes — devices that float through the air on a parachute and collect data as they fall to the surface.
All the information is used by the Hurricane Center to “tighten up the forecast,” Burton explained. Pilots also try to find the absolute center and low-pressure center of the storm to help computer models more accurately track the system.
While Burton described the flight as “routine,” it was less ordinary for the Hurricane Hunters to find their unit deploying to the West Coast. If Hilary makes landfall in California as a tropical storm on Sunday, it will be the first time in over 80 years.
The 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron is the only operational unit in the world flying weather reconnaissance missions on a routine basis, according to the Air Force.
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San Diego readies for potential flooding and rain from Hurricane Hilary
From CNN's Taylor Romine
San Diego has been preparing for potential flooding, rain and high winds as the city braces for Hurricane Hilary, Mayor Todd Gloria said in a news conference Friday.
City crews have spent the last several days cleaning out storm drains, sweeping streets and preparing equipment ahead of the storm, Gloria said. The city is also in contact with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the California governor’s office, he said.
Outreach teams are working with the homeless population to encourage them to use shelter provided by the city, especially for people who are in high-risk flooding areas like the San Diego River, Gloria said.
He encouraged residents to stay at home on Sunday evening and Monday morning and to call 911 if they see any power lines or trees down.
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Storm forces MLB and MLS teams to reshuffle schedules
From CNN's Taylor Romine and Homero DeLaFuente
Major League Baseball preemptively shuffled the schedules of its three Southern California ball clubs in anticipation of Hurricane Hilary.
The Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres had each been scheduled to host a home series this weekend.
The Angels, Dodgers and Padres instead are slated to play their scheduled Sunday game as part of a doubleheader on Saturday, before the worst of the weather will hit California.
Two Major League Soccer matches in the region were also rescheduled due to safety considerations.
The Los Angeles Galaxy’s regular season match against Real Salt Lake, scheduled for Sunday, has been rescheduled for Saturday, October 14, MLS and the Galaxy announced on Friday.
Meanwhile, Los Angeles FC’s regular season match against the Colorado Rapids, also slated for Sunday, has been postponed to Wednesday. Tickets purchased for the original match dates will honored for the rescheduled matches.
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Historic tropical storm warning issued for areas of Southern California
From CNN meteorologist Mary Gilbert
Volunteers with West Orange County Community Emergency Response Team load sandbags for residents to pick up ahead of anticipated high surf, strong winds and flooding from the approaching Hurricane Hilary in Seal Beach, California on Friday, August 18.
Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images
Parts of Southern California are under a tropical storm warning for the first time in history, according to the National Hurricane Center, as Hurricane Hilary barrels toward the area.
The tropical storm watch from the California-Mexico border to Point Mugu, California, including Los Angeles and San Diego, has been changed to a tropical storm warning, according to Friday’s 11 p.m. ET advisory from the National Hurricane Center.
A tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours.
Hurricane Hilary weakened to a Category 3 storm Saturday morning with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph, while still retaining its major hurricane status, according to the latest update from the National Hurricane Center.
The center of the storm is expected to move along the Baja Peninsula from Saturday night into Sunday and then into southern California Sunday evening. Significant impacts will begin well in advance of the center’s arrival.
“No tropical watches or warnings have been issued for any part of California since NHC took over the east Pacific basin in the late 1980s,” Maria Torres of the National Hurricane Center told CNN on Friday.
And if Hilary makes landfall in California as a tropical storm, it will be the first such storm in the state in nearly 84 years, according to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
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100 National Guard members deploying to southern Nevada ahead of Hurricane Hilary
From CNN’s Andy Rose
Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo activated 100 National Guard members Friday as the state prepares for landfall of Hurricane Hilary.
“These Guardsmen will be put in place to provide support to southern counties, which may be significantly impacted by flooding,” Lombardo said in a written statement. “As the state takes the necessary steps to prepare for flooding and severe weather, I strongly urge all Nevadans to do the same.”
A flood watch goes into effect for most of the state of Nevada at 11 a.m. PT (2 p.m. ET) Saturday. Forecasts as of Friday evening said parts of southern Nevada could receive 3 to 5 inches of rain, with isolated amounts of up to 10 inches.
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Hurricane Hilary weakens to Category 3 storm
From CNN Meteorologist Caitlin Kaiser
Hurricane Hilary has weakened to a Category 3 storm with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph, while still retaining its major hurricane status, according to the latest update from the National Hurricane Center.
The storm has sped up, now moving at 16 mph, and is currently located 235 miles west of the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula.
Hilary is expected to continue to weaken as it moves north-northwestward through cooler waters toward Southern California.
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How Los Angeles County has prepared for the potential heavy rain and flooding
From CNN's Taylor Romine
Lifeguards fill sand bags for residents, while crews build a sand berm along the shore in Long Beach, California, on Friday, August 18.
Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images
Los Angeles County is preparing for potential heavy rain and flooding from Hurricane Hilary, officials said during a Friday news conference.
An emergency operations center with representatives from various Los Angeles County departments will open Sunday starting at 6 a.m. PT (9 a.m. ET) through Wednesday afternoon or as needed, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said. The departments spent several days this week preparing for the storm and have rescue personnel ready for immediate response, he said.
One of the biggest concerns is making sure the homeless community is safe, and the county is working on reaching out to people to get them temporary housing, especially for those who stay in parks or near waterways, Luna said. The sheriff’s department is mapping out where encampments are located and is making announcements by helicopter about the incoming storm, in addition to sending outreach teams on the ground, he said.
Officials are coordinating with Santa Catalina Island, which is part of Los Angeles County, and has evacuation routes planned, Luna said.
The LA County Department of Public Works Chief Deputy Director Angela George-Moody said the department is very experienced, especially after a series of severe storms during the winter, and public infrastructure is ready to protect communities from flooding and catch as much rainwater as possible.
She added the Department of Public Works was not expecting any significant mud or debris slides based on the latest forecasts Friday, but that they will keep monitoring conditions. George-Moody encouraged residents to call 211 to report any downed trees or malfunctioning lights.
LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn said she was working with the Rolling Hills Estates, where homes were damaged after the ground shifted last month, and the fire department will be on site all weekend to make sure the area remains safe.
