Hurricane Hilary Threatens Southwest US with Historic Flooding

Concerns are growing as Hurricane Hilary approaches the southwestern US and parts of California, with the potential to unleash a significant amount of flooding rainfall. This rare move has triggered the first ever tropical storm watch for California. Hilary has the potential to dump more than a year’s worth of rain in parts of California, Nevada, and Arizona, posing a high risk for excessive rainfall. This Level 4 threat is the first to ever be issued for this part of Southern California.

Hilary, currently a powerful Category 4 hurricane, is located about 360 miles south of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, with sustained winds of 145 mph and stronger gusts. The storm underwent rapid intensification, strengthening from a tropical storm to a Category 4 hurricane in just 24 hours. It is forecasted to remain a Category 4 as it approaches Mexico’s Baja California peninsula through Saturday.

Officials have issued hurricane and tropical storm watches and warnings for Baja California and northwest Mexico as Hilary’s center approaches the region. The storm’s track could change the forecast for the most intense rain and wind in the US as it moves north over the next couple of days. While Hilary is more likely to make landfall in Mexico and cross into California, if it makes landfall in California as a tropical storm, it would be the first such storm to do so in nearly 84 years.

The first ever tropical storm watch was issued for parts of Southern California, extending from the California/Mexico border to the Orange County/Los Angeles County line. The threat of significant wind impacts continues to increase for northern portions of the Baja California Peninsula and the Southwestern United States, especially in areas of mountainous terrain, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Although Hilary is expected to weaken before reaching Southern California and parts of the Southwest, it will still enhance heavy rainfall and increase flooding danger. Heavy rainfall is expected to begin impacting the Southwest on Saturday and continue through early next week, with the most intense downpours likely on Sunday and Monday. The high risks for excessive rainfall are significant, as they 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 rainfall of 1 to 3 inches. The driest parts of California, including Death Valley, could potentially receive multiple years’ worth of precipitation in a single day. Las Vegas, which typically averages 3.75 inches of rain a year, could receive 2 to 4 inches of rain.

The prolonged rain may oversaturate the ground and overwhelm waterways, worsening the flood threat. As a result, weekend flood watches have been issued across southern California, stretching from San Diego to Los Angeles. The National Weather Service in Los Angeles has also warned of the potential for dangerously high surf, rip currents, and coastal flooding.

In addition to the concerns in the East Pacific, the Atlantic is also gearing up for a dramatic increase in tropical activity. Four separate areas of concern stretch across the entire basin, from west of the Cabo Verde Islands to the Gulf of Mexico. Of immediate concern to the United States is an area in the warm Gulf of Mexico, where atmospheric conditions could support tropical development next week. Three other areas in the tropical Atlantic also have the potential for tropical depression or storm formation.

As Hurricane Hilary approaches, residents in the affected areas are urged to stay informed and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety.

What level of threat has been issued for certain areas of California, Nevada, and Arizona due to the storm’s potential for heavy rain and flooding?

Still bring heavy rain and potential flooding. The storm has the capability to dump a year’s worth of rain in certain areas of California, Nevada, and Arizona. This has led to a Level 4 threat being issued, the first ever for this part of Southern California.

Currently a Category 4 hurricane, Hilary is located just south of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. With sustained winds of 145 mph and stronger gusts, it has rapidly intensified from a tropical storm to a Category 4 hurricane in just 24 hours. The storm is predicted to maintain this strength as it moves towards Mexico’s Baja California peninsula.

Authorities have issued hurricane and tropical storm watches and warnings for Baja California and northwest Mexico as Hilary approaches. The storm’s track could alter the forecast for the most intense rain and wind in the US as it heads north. While it is more likely to make landfall in Mexico and then move into California, if Hilary were to hit California as a tropical storm, it would be the first of its kind in almost 84 years.

The National Hurricane Center has issued the first ever tropical storm watch for parts of Southern California, stretching from the California/Mexico border to the Orange County/Los Angeles County line. The threat of significant wind impacts is increasing for the northern parts of the Baja California Peninsula and the Southwestern US, particularly in areas with mountainous terrain.

Although Hilary is expected to weaken before reaching Southern California and the Southwest, it will still bring heavy rainfall and the risk of flooding. The approaching storm has raised concerns due to its potential for significant rainfall and the flood risks associated with it.