As Hurricane Hilary heads towards Southern California, residents are bracing themselves for the storm, expected to hit the region on Sunday. California Governor Gavin Newsom has shared essential steps on Twitter that residents can take to stay safer during the storm:
1. Stay connected: Residents are encouraged to check CalAlerts for local updates, call 311 for assistance, or 911 for critical emergencies. It’s also important to check on vulnerable neighbors and family members.
2. Prepare for high winds and ocean surges: Residents should remove any dead trees or overhanging branches near structures and bring in unsecured objects from patios and balconies. With the National Weather Service issuing a high surf advisory, residents and visitors are urged to stay out of the ocean.
3. Travel safely: It’s crucial to avoid walking, swimming, or driving through floodwaters and to steer clear of non-essential travel. For those who must leave, the updated road conditions, traffic, closures and more can be found at www.QuickMap.dot.ca.gov.
4. Be ready for power outages: Residents should keep devices charged and plan for batteries and other alternative power sources if the power goes out. It’s also important to prepare for possible water and cell phone outages.
5. Listen to local authorities: Residents should follow the guidance of local authorities, including evacuation orders, road closures, and other official notices.
Listos California, the state’s disaster readiness program, also recommends creating a household safety plan, packing a bag with necessities for possible evacuation, and assembling a “stay box” for a potential shelter-in-place order. A Disaster Ready Guide is available in eight languages on the Listos California website.
For real-time tracking of Hurricane Hilary, residents can click here.