Tropical Storm Hilary Sweeps Through Southern California, Causing Severe Flooding and Damage
PALM DESERT, Calif. (AP) — In a rare occurrence, Tropical Storm Hilary made landfall in Southern California on Monday, marking the first time in 84 years that the region has been hit by such a storm. The massive system brought heavy rainfall, flash floods, and strong winds, leading to widespread destruction and prompting flood watches and warnings in multiple states.
According to the National Hurricane Center in Miami, Hilary had weakened significantly as it moved northward over the Rocky Mountains. However, authorities issued warnings of “continued life-threatening and locally catastrophic flooding” in parts of the southwestern U.S. due to the record-breaking rainfall caused by the storm.
Hilary initially struck Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula as a hurricane before transitioning into a tropical storm. In addition to the storm, Southern California also faced wildfires and a moderate earthquake north of Los Angeles on the same day. Fortunately, there have been no reported deaths, serious injuries, or extreme damages in the state so far. However, officials have cautioned about the risks that remain, particularly in mountainous areas prone to mudslides due to the wet hillsides.
Emergency crews in the San Bernardino Mountains have been working tirelessly to clear mudslides that have blocked the homes of approximately 800 residents. Local residents have also been assisting in the cleanup efforts, digging out homes buried in mud to rescue trapped individuals.
The impact of the storm was felt by many residents who narrowly escaped disaster. Terry Flanigan, a resident of Palm Desert, recounted the terrifying moment when a towering Eucalyptus tree crashed onto a nearby condo. Fortunately, the 11-year-old boy who usually occupied the room where the tree fell was in another part of the house at the time.
Similar lucky escapes were reported in the Sun Valley area of Los Angeles, where a massive tree fell on two cars but narrowly missed hitting a house. Maura Taura, the homeowner, expressed relief that her family was unharmed.
However, Southern California was not the only area affected by extreme weather conditions. Hilary is just one of several major weather events wreaking havoc across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Hawaii is still recovering from a deadly wildfire that claimed more than 100 lives, making it the deadliest wildfire in the country’s history. Meanwhile, Canada is battling its worst fire season on record.
The unprecedented size and destructive power of Hilary can be attributed to the combination of hot water and hot air, which fueled its rapid growth. Death Valley National Park, for instance, received a year’s worth of rain in a single day, resulting in its closure until further notice. The park reported historic levels of rainfall, surpassing its previous records.
Despite the temporary relief from wildfires that the rain may bring to Southern California, climate scientists warn that the most fire-prone areas are unlikely to receive widespread rain. Flooding remained a major concern, with reports of knee-high water levels in homeless encampments and flooded emergency rooms.
As Hilary moves eastward into Nevada, flooding, power outages, and a boil-water order were reported. In the state of Oregon and parts of Idaho, the threat of flooding on Monday was projected to be highest. Forecasters are also monitoring Tropical Storm Franklin in the Caribbean, which could potentially reach the Gulf Coast in the coming days.
The arrival of Tropical Storm Hilary in Southern California serves as a reminder of the unpredictability and increasing intensity of weather events across the globe. While California managed to withstand the storm with minimal impacts, its occurrence highlighted the need for ongoing preparedness and resilience in the face of natural disasters.
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Antczak and Stefanie Dazio reported from Los Angeles, and Watson from San Diego. Associated Press reporters Ken Ritter in Las Vegas; Will Weissert in Washington; Freida Frisaro in Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Curt Anderson in St. Petersburg, Florida; Eugene Garcia in San Diego; Ryan Sun and Walter Berry in Phoenix contributed to this report.