Washington
Hurricane Hilary, now a Category 4 hurricane, is expected to impose significant impacts, including heavy rain and flooding, on the US Southwest this weekend into early next week, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) on Friday issued for the first time a tropical storm watch for parts of Southern California, warning against possible threat of tropical conditions in the areas within 48 hours.
Hilary intensified rapidly Thursday into Friday from a tropical storm on Mexico’s Pacific coast to a Category 4 hurricane, with a maximum surface wind of 209 to 251 km per hour.
NHS expects Hilary to land in Southern California on August 21 midnight as a tropical storm after weakening on the west coast of the Baja California Peninsula on Saturday.
Rainfall impacts are expected to peak over the weekend, while the threat of strong wind continues to increase for portions of the Southwest, especially in the mountainous areas, according to the NWS. Life-threatening and potentially catastrophic flooding is likely over much of southern California this weekend and early next week, with Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and San Diego in the high-risk area.
Very strong winds will cause hazardous seas which could capsize or damage vessels and reduce visibility, according to the NWS. Officials requested mariners to consider altering plans to avoid possible hazardous conditions. NWS Director Ken Graham asked residents to take this storm seriously.
