Tropical Storm Hilary is headed for Southern California. Hilary has been downgraded from a hurricane but is still expected to bring flooding to Los Angeles and other cities after slamming Mexico’s Baja Peninsula. Even the the state’s driest area, Death Valley National Park, was experiencing flooding Sunday morning, and most roads in the park were closed by 1 p.m. PDT.
Hurricane Hilary headed for Mexico's Baja California Saturday as the U.S. National Hurricane Center predicted “catastrophic and life-threatening flooding” for the peninsula and for the southwestern United States. https://t.co/XT5QoBiTjF
— FOX 5 San Diego (@fox5sandiego) August 19, 2023
According to the National Hurricane Center, the storm is expected to produce rainfall amounts of 3 to 6 inches, isolated amounts of up to 10 inches, and flash and urban flooding that can lead to catastrophic damage.
The winds are expected to be at a maximum of 126.5 mph, with gusts up to 155 mph. It’s expected to maintain hurricane strength as it moves along the west coast of Baja California.
The storm is also expected to impact southwestern Mexico, Baja California, and Southern California until Monday, Aug. 21.
Social media users have already started to upload video footage of thick cloud layers, dark skies, and lightning.
Some have also given the storm a face online by using images of former first lady Hillary Clinton.
Here were some reactions below.
Hurricane Hilary incoming! Stay safe out there friends! #Hilary #HurricaneHilary pic.twitter.com/P6yHM79qy7
— JA Anthony Bennett (@JA_Anthony_B) August 19, 2023
San Diego Mountains View this morning #HurricaneHilary pic.twitter.com/AH3n02iINa
— Ivan (@Ivankalema01) August 19, 2023
#SouthernCalifornia make sure to turn on your emergency alert notifications before #HurricaneHilary arrives. In iOS go to Settings -> Notifications-> Scroll all the way down. Android: Settings->Notifications->Wireless Emergency Alerts. pic.twitter.com/EzeBeYH2DZ
— Raul (@digital_phreak) August 19, 2023
