No tropical storm has hit the west coast of America since 1939, but the effects of Hurricane Hilary are expected to be felt in California starting Sunday and continue into Idaho Sunday through Tuesday. The storm is predicted to bring heavy rainfall to the southwestern United States and also the intermountain west, with 3 to 6 inches of rain expected in many places.
Idaho News 6 reports that Hilary’s rainfall will impact Idaho between Sunday morning through Tuesday evening, with up to 4″ of rainfall possible in higher elevations and up to 2″ in the valleys. They state the main moisture from the remnants of Hilary will likely arrive early Monday morning. Idahoans can expect very heavy downpours with record rainfall rates. A risk also exists for flash floods and landslides.
Hilary has already brought heavy rain and flooding to Mexico. The storm is expected to make landfall along the west central coast of the Baja peninsula early Sunday morning. It has been moving north-northwest at around 16 mph, with maximum sustained winds near 125 mph and higher gusts. The storm is expected to cross the U.S. border on Sunday.
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) say Hilary will likely bring catastrophic flooding and landslides to parts of Mexico and southwestern United States. Even though the Category 2 hurricane was recently downgraded to a Category 1, it will still be dangerous.
Mexican officials are concerned about deadly flooding and mudslides in Tijuana, where many homes in the city of 1.9 million people are perched on steep hillsides. Tijuana Mayor Montserrat Caballero Ramirez told The Associated Press that the city was setting up four shelters in high-risk zones and warning residents.
Even though the hurricane is predicted to weaken before hitting the United States, it will still create dangerous conditions stateside. A tropical storm watch has been issued for much of southern California from the Pacific coast to the interior mountains and deserts. Authorities are even discussing evacuation strategies for Catalina Island.
Between 3 and 6 inches of rain are expected across parts of southern California and southern Nevada, though forecasters warn that in some spots it could be as much as 10 inches. Significant localized flash floods are possible.
Residents within the warning and watch areas are urged to take immediate precautions to safeguard life and property, and to monitor the National Weather Service for updates.
