Tropical Storm Hilary, once a powerful Category 4 hurricane, has wreaked havoc across Southern California and the Southwest, bringing with it flash floods, mudslides, and chaos. The storm made landfall on Sunday after weakening from a hurricane to a tropical storm, and it was further downgraded to a subtropical cyclone on Monday morning. The National Hurricane Center issued a dire warning, cautioning that the flooding could be “life-threatening and locally catastrophic.” As Hilary continues to lash the region, residents and authorities are grappling with the aftermath of widespread flooding, power outages, and disruptions to daily life.
Numerous areas in Southern California are grappling with the impact of the storm. Hilary has unleashed more than half the annual average rainfall on desert and mountain regions, with Palm Springs experiencing nearly 3 inches of rain by Sunday evening. The storm’s fierce winds and heavy rains have triggered a slew of mudslides and rockslides, rendering roads impassable and forcing thousands to lose power. The situation turned critical when 911 services were lost in Palm Springs, and some regions in greater Los Angeles were hit by heavy rain and winds.
The sheer intensity of the storm is unprecedented for the region, with Hilary being the first tropical storm to hit Southern California in 84 years. Authorities have taken urgent measures to ensure public safety. Evacuation orders and warnings have been issued across San Bernardino, Riverside, and Orange Counties. As Ventura County faces life-threatening flooding and the Inland Empire and mountains brace for potential flash floods, communities are on high alert. President Biden declared a state of emergency and deployed FEMA personnel and resources to the affected areas, emphasizing coordination with California, Nevada, and Arizona to address the crisis.
As Hilary’s impact persists, Southern California remains on high alert for further flooding, mudslides, and disruptions to daily life. The storm’s unexpected severity has prompted unprecedented measures, including the closure of schools and parks, and adjustments to sporting events’ schedules. The situation is fluid, and residents are urged to stay vigilant and follow safety guidelines to navigate the challenges posed by this historic tropical storm.
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