Southern California and the Southwest are bracing for the possible.Catastrophic and life-threatening floods“As Tropical Storm Hillary It continued north after making landfall in the northern part of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula on Sunday. Flooding and some mudslides and rockslides have already been reported.
Hillary is the first tropical storm to hit Southern California in 84 years.
Hillary weakened to a tropical storm and strengthened to a Category 4 hurricane before making landfall. The storm is still expected to bring heavy rain along its path into Monday morning, according to the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center.
“Historic rainfall is expected to cause life-threatening flash, urban and arroyo flooding, including landslides, mudslides and debris flows early Monday morning,” the NHC said.
Thousands of people across Southern California were without power as a result of the storm, which brought not only heavy rain but also high-powered winds to the area, and left the community of Palm Springs without 911 service. CBS News Los Angeles reported.
Where is flooding expected?
The NHC says, “Heavy rainfall associated with Hillary is expected across the southwestern United States through early Monday morning. 3 to 6 inches, with isolated maximum amounts of 10 inches, are expected in parts of southern California and southern Nevada. Risk for catastrophic flooding.”
What’s more, parts of Oregon and Idaho could get 1 to 3 inches of rain through Tuesday, with up to 5 inches in some places “resulting in localized (and) some significant flash flooding.”
In Nevada, officials are concerned about dangerous flooding across the western Mojave Desert, which is at high risk for flash flooding, an “extremely rare occurrence,” NWS Las Vegas said Sunday. Social media.
Southern California is experiencing heavy rain in Los Angeles and surrounding counties, with heavy rain expected 3pm today to 3am MondayCBS News Los Angeles reported.
In California, evacuation orders have been issued for San Bernardino and Riverside counties. Evacuation warnings were issued in Orange County, according to CBS News Los Angeles
Meanwhile, the Inland Empire and mountains are at high risk of flash flooding, with some communities expected to receive 6-10 inches of rain, according to CBS Los Angeles.
Among the many dramatic scenes that Hillary hit on:
How does Southern California fare against Hillary?
As of 2 a.m. Monday, Hillary was about 75 miles northeast of Bakersfield, Calif., and racing north-northwest at 28 mph, with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph.
Although no longer a hurricane, the system still brought heavy rain to the area.
This is the first time the National Hurricane Center has issued one Tropical Storm Warning Southern California and California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency ahead of the storm.
On Sunday, President Biden said he had asked FEMA to send personnel and supplies to California. Mr. Biden added that the Coast Guard has pre-positioned aircraft to allow for rapid response and rescue efforts.
“My administration deployed federal personnel to Nevada and made sure the state has additional support, and we will continue to coordinate with California, Nevada and Arizona on any resources they need,” Biden said.
Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
On Sunday evening, the Los Angeles Unified School District, the nation’s second largest school district, declared All schools, campuses and after-school programs will be closed Monday due to the storm.
“This was not an easy decision,” the district said on social media. “Los Angeles Unified acknowledges the unique, unprecedented nature of Tropical Storm Hillary, which has earned city, county and state emergency declarations.”
The Pasadena Unified School District followed suit Sunday night.
The California Department of Parks and Recreation ordered the temporary closure of all San Diego and Orange County state beaches and several state parks on Saturday.
Disneyland announced park closures early Saturday, with Disney California Adventure Park closing at 9 p.m., Disneyland Park closing at 10 p.m. and Downtown Disney District closing at 11 p.m.
The San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angeles Angels all shifted Sunday home games to Saturday doubleheaders in anticipation of the storm.
When will Hillary hit Las Vegas?
Heavy rains expected Monday morning in Nevada, flooding in Las Vegas and Death Valley National Park, Weather Channel says, “significant flooding” reported.
Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo declared a state of emergency Sunday afternoon due to the tropical storm’s “immediate impact” across the state. “Significant damage is likely to occur to public and private properties, including various transport routes,” the statement said.
That came days after he announced that 100 National Guard troops had been activated ahead of the tropical storm.
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