Storm Hilary is expected to make landfall in the southwestern United States today.
Late Saturday local time, Hurricane Hilary continued its slightly weakened path towards the California peninsula in the western part of Mexico. However, it is still classified as a dangerous category two hurricane, likely to bring “catastrophic” flooding to the region and cross the southwestern United States as a tropical storm.
On Saturday, Hilary’s rating fell from fourth to second level on a five-point scale.
– This does not reduce the threat, especially the threat of flooding, the deputy director of the US National Hurricane Center Jamie Rhome warned at a news conference on Saturday announcing the hurricane’s downgraded rating.
– Don’t let your guard down because of the weakening trend and decreasing intensity, he said.
According to forecasts, Hilary is still expected to make the history books as the first tropical cyclone in Southern California in 84 years, bringing flash flooding, mudslides, isolated tornadoes, high winds and widespread power outages.
Meteorologists also warned that despite the hurricane’s weakening, the storm intensified on Saturday, and they urged people to complete their storm preparations by sunset. According to one expert, it would already be too late on Sunday.
The heavy rains and flooding that preceded the storm already started on Saturday on the California peninsula in Mexico and across the border in California. Hilary is expected to reach the US Southwest today. The storm is expected to bring up to 25 centimeters of rain to Southern California and Southern Nevada.
Already on Saturday, one person drowned in the city of Santa Rosalia, Mexico, on the east coast of the California peninsula, when a flooded stream swept away a vehicle.
Sources: AP, AFP