Tropical Storm Hilary made landfall on Sunday, causing widespread flooding across Southern California and Baja California, Mexico. The storm, the first tropical storm to strike Southern California in 84 years, brought torrential rain and the potential for flash floods, mudslides, isolated tornadoes, high winds, and power outages.
Hilary hit the Mexican coast about 150 miles south of Ensenada and was on a path to impact Tijuana on Sunday evening. The storm threatened mudslide-prone areas, particularly homes built on hillsides south of the U.S. border.
Approximately 9 million people were under flash-flood warnings as heavy rain fell across usually sunny Southern California. The weather service warned that tornadoes were possible Sunday afternoon in eastern San Diego County.
Additionally, Southern California experienced a surprise when an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.1 hit near Ojai, about 80 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles. The earthquake, which was followed by smaller aftershocks, was felt widely, but there were no immediate reports of significant damage or injuries.
Hilary could also bring heavy rains to Nevada, Oregon, and Idaho, potentially becoming the wettest known tropical cyclone to hit these states. The storm was expected to remain a tropical cyclone until it reached central Nevada early Monday.
Despite weakening from a Category 4 hurricane, Hilary posed a significant threat due to the amount of water it carried. Some areas could receive as much rainfall in a few hours as they typically get in a year.
Hilary is the latest major climate disaster to affect the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Ensenada and Tijuana, both in Mexico, closed all beaches and opened shelters in preparation for the storm. In California, Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced that it had officials ready to provide aid if necessary.
Evacuation warnings were issued for Santa Catalina Island, several communities in San Bernardino County, and anyone living in a wildfire burn scar in the Santa Ana Mountains’ Silverado and Williams canyons. All state beaches in San Diego and Orange counties were ordered closed.
Officials are urging everyone in the path of this storm to take precautions and listen to the guidance of state and local officials. The storm’s aftermath is expected to be significant and will require a concerted response from various authorities and emergency services.