Tropical Storm Hilary
Not quite a year after Tropical Storm Kay wreaked havoc in Southern California, the region is grappling with the aftermath of yet another deluge, this time brought about by the relentless Tropical Storm Hilary. The latest update reveals that Tropical Storm Hilary is currently positioned to the west of Porterville, California, moving rapidly northwest at a staggering 28 mph. Wind gusts have reached speeds of up to 60 miles per hour, accompanied by heavy rainfall, which lashed parts of California on Sunday evening. Within the span of 48 hours, an astounding 10.51 inches of rain has drenched Forest Falls, California.
In a twist of fate, at 3 p.m. PDT, a magnitude 5.1 earthquake jolted Ojai, California, located northwest of Los Angeles. Although the tremors were felt, fortunately, no damage was reported. Remarkably, this earthquake stands as the most powerful to rock the area since 1941.
As the clock struck 1 a.m. PDT, the storm-induced chaos left nearly 23,000 Californian households without power, and flood advisories blanketed much of Southern California. The storm’s impact is evidenced by the formidable wind gusts that have been recorded.
Tropical Storm Hilary took shape on August 16 and rapidly escalated into a fierce Category 4 hurricane over open waters. It subsequently made landfall late Sunday morning, metamorphosing into a tropical storm, in the northern Baja California peninsula of Mexico. Tragically, the storm turned deadly in Mexico, with reports of one fatality near Santa Rosalia due to floodwaters.
The far-reaching influence of the storm forced the closure of parks and disrupted air travel in three states. Las Vegas declared a state of emergency as a preemptive measure, while Orange and San Diego counties shut down all state beaches and parks. In anticipation of Hilary’s arrival, Governor Newsom of California declared a state of emergency. The devastation wasn’t limited to Mexico; Ocotillo, California, experienced flooding, and storm chasers reported the chaos. The storm’s impact on air travel was massive, causing over 1,000 flight cancellations on Sunday.
Reports poured in about boulders obstructing roadways in San Bernardino County, and semi-trucks toppling over on Interstate 8 near Gordon’s Well, California. The National Weather Service corroborated these accounts on Sunday afternoon.
The tumultuous events highlight the region’s vulnerability to the capriciousness of nature. The compounding challenges, from consecutive storms to unexpected earthquakes, underscore the need for steadfast preparedness and adaptive responses to safeguard lives and property.
Recent Climate – Tropical Storm Hilary