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Tropical storm Hilary: Thousands evacuated as California braces for flash floods

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Adhya Moona
Adhya MoonaAug 21, 2023 | 16:25

Tropical storm Hilary: Thousands evacuated as California braces for flash floods

Roads have been flooded in Palm Springs, California, as a result of the tropical storm Hilary. Photo: Reuters

Tropical Storm Hilary wreaked havoc along Mexico's Baja California coast during its landfall on Sunday, before moving towards Southern California and causing significant flash floods in the US state.

Hilary marks the first tropical storm to hit Southern California in 84 years, resulting in floods, mudslides, high winds, power outages, and the potential for isolated tornadoes, as reported by the news agency AP. The storm has already unleashed up to 6 inches (15.24 centimeters) of rain in certain mountain communities.

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Prior to impacting San Diego, California, the storm struck the Baja California coast in Mexico, leading to at least one fatality and dangerous flooding in various areas. In the Mexican town of Santa Rosalia, a person tragically drowned on Saturday as a vehicle was swept away by an overflowing stream.

In California, Tropical Storm Hilary triggered flash floods and heavy rainfall. Meteorologists have indicated that the storm is poised to bring a possibly "historic" amount of rain, potentially causing "life-threatening" and "catastrophic" flooding across Baja and the Southwestern United States until Monday.

Situation in California:

  • The heavy downpours have caused chaos in California, with highways marred by mud and boulders, roadways submerged in water, and fallen tree branches littering areas from San Diego to Los Angeles.
  • Vehicles have become stranded in floodwaters in Palm Desert and surrounding regions near Coachella Valley. Police Lieutenant Gustavo Araiza informed CNN that three water rescues were conducted in Palm Springs.
  • School Closures: In the interest of safety, authorities have announced school closures on Monday for Los Angeles Unified School District, Pasadena Unified School District, and San Diego Unified School District due to Hilary.
  • The forecast predicts that Hilary will traverse northwards through California to Nevada, Oregon, and Idaho. The storm is projected to maintain tropical storm status until early Monday over central Nevada before dissipating.
  • Rainfall Alert: There are warnings of heavy downpours potentially reaching up to 10 inches in Southern California and Nevada through Monday morning, with the possibility of up to 5 inches of rain across Oregon and Idaho on Tuesday morning.
  • The fire department has urged residents to heed evacuation orders and stay off the roads. The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department ordered evacuations for several communities on Saturday night and has also established shelters for affected residents.
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Despite the storm's weakening, rescue efforts continue in specific areas, amid concerns of escalating flood dangers.

Adding to the challenges, a 5.1-magnitude earthquake struck Southern California at 2:41 p.m. on Sunday, as reported by the U.S. Geological Survey. The quake's epicenter was near Ojai, located 130 kilometers northwest of downtown Los Angeles.

Last updated: August 21, 2023 | 16:25
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