“Unprecedented Alert: Southern California Under First-Ever Tropical Storm Watch as Hurricane Hilary Threatens ‘Dangerous’ Flooding”
On Thursday, Hilary became a Category 2 hurricane off the Pacific coast of Mexico, and by the weekend, the U.S. southwest might expect significant rainfall.
According to the U.S. National Hurricane Centre, Hurricane Hilary may potentially skim the shore of the Baja California peninsula over the weekend and had top winds of 105 mph (165 kph).
On the southernmost point of the Baja peninsula, Hilary was situated about 500 miles (805 kilometres) south-southeast of Los Cabos. The hurricane, which was still far from shore, was moving at 14 mph (22 kph) in a west-northwesterly direction and was predicted to move more northward in the direction of the U.S. border.
Hilary became a Category 2 hurricane PC: Google Image
By Friday, it was predicted to intensify into a major hurricane and perhaps pass over the thinly populated western Baja coast. The hurricane centre predicted that it might briefly remain a tropical storm and cross the border into the United States.
Since September 25, 1939, no tropical storm has made landfall in Southern California, according to the National Weather Service.
“Rainfall impacts from Hilary within the Southwestern United States are expected to peak this weekend into Monday,” the hurricane centre stated in a report. “Flash, urban, and arroyo flooding is possible, with the potential for significant impacts.”
