Mexico Braces for Potentially Life-Threatening Rain and Floods from Hurricane Hilary
Mexico has issued warnings to Baja California and neighboring Southern California as Hurricane Hilary heads towards the region. The storm is expected to make landfall early Sunday, and officials have cautioned that it remains lethally destructive despite weakening somewhat on Saturday.
State and federal authorities have urged citizens to take necessary precautions ahead of the storm. More than 6,500 soldiers have been deployed to the states of Baja California and Baja California Sur to assist in setting up shelters, organizing food banks, and preparing for possible emergency rescues.
Libia González, a meteorologist with Mexico’s national forecasting service, stated that the storm is gradually decreasing in strength and is expected to become a Category 1 hurricane by Sunday morning. However, González emphasized that this does not mean the danger will diminish, as the storm will still bring strong winds and large swells.
Despite the warnings, some locals remain skeptical about the potential impact of the hurricane. Historically, the region has experienced mostly mild storms, leading some to adopt a more relaxed attitude towards storm warnings.
Ensenada, a tourist town in Baja California, was concluding its annual grape harvest festival when Hilary arrived. Final events of the festival have been postponed, and tourism operators have advised visitors to leave.
Mexico’s national meteorological service predicts torrential rains across the Baja California peninsula and other northern states. Hilary is expected to bring up to six inches of rain, strong winds, flash flooding, and large swells that could cause life-threatening surf.
Of particular concern are the rocky island of Cedros and San Quintín, an agricultural center and emerging tourist destination. Cedros, home to approximately 3,000 people, has a tight-knit community that provides support and assistance during such situations.
In preparation, residents of Cedros have stocked up on supplies, secured their homes, and taken precautions against potential water damage. However, there are concerns about possible food shortages, as tortillas and canned tuna have already disappeared from shelves.
Rainfall and power outages have been reported in several parts of Baja California, and authorities have issued an alert regarding a landslide blocking the highway connecting Tijuana, Tecate, and Mexicali.
Despite the warnings, some residents in Tijuana have continued with their plans and gathered to exchange wedding vows on the boardwalk. Many believe that hurricanes do not hit hard in the region and have downplayed the need for preparation.
As the storm approaches, Mexican authorities continue to monitor the situation closely and advise citizens to remain vigilant and take all necessary precautions to ensure their safety.