Tropical Storm Hilary made landfall on Mexico’s Baja California coast on Sunday, weakening from a Category 4 hurricane, but still packing significant rain that forecasters warned could unleash flooding across a broad region of the Western US. Hilary’s rain was expected to be the most destructive aspect of the storm, with the potential to dump up to 10 inches in some areas. The National Hurricane Centre’s director, Michael Brennan, emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating that rainfall flooding has been the biggest killer in tropical storms and hurricanes in the US in the past 10 years.
Ensenada and Tijuana, the cities directly in the storm’s path, closed all beaches and opened shelters in preparation for the storm’s arrival. Lifeguards were on hand to fill sandbags for residents, while local authorities scrambled to get the homeless off the streets and into shelters. The Federal Emergency Management Agency was also on standby to provide aid, with teams and supplies at the ready.
The storm’s impact was expected to be felt across a wide swath of Southern California, from the Pacific coast to the interior mountains and deserts, and as far north as eastern Oregon and Idaho. California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency, while President Joe Biden urged residents in the storm’s path to take precautions and listen to the guidance of state and local officials.
Mexico’s Baja California
As the storm made its way inland, it left a trail of destruction in its wake, with washed-out highways and roads, toppled power lines, and emergency personnel working to restore power and reach those cut off by the storm. The region’s residents were warned to be prepared for flash floods, mudslides, isolated tornadoes, high winds, and power outages.
In the midst of the storm, one of several budding storm systems in the Atlantic Ocean became Tropical Storm Emily on Sunday, according to the National Hurricane Centre. While this storm was not expected to have a significant impact on the western US, it was still a reminder of the global scope of the storm season, which has already seen devastating wildfires in Hawaii and Canada.
