Gov. Newsom declares state of emergency for southern California ahead of historic Hurricane Hilary | CNN (2023)

Gov. Newsom declares state of emergency for southern California ahead of historic Hurricane Hilary | CNN (1)

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Hear why Hurricane Hilary is the first storm of its kind since 1939

01:47 - Source: CNN

Editor’s Note: Read our coverage of Hurricane Hilary for Sunday here.

CNN

California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Saturday proclaimed a state of emergency Saturday for a large portion of Southern California, as the state prepares for a historic hurricane expected to cause extreme rain and flooding.

There are “more than 7,500 boots on the ground” already deployed to help protect from the impact of Hurricane Hilary, according to the release from his office.

“Today, Governor Gavin Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency for much of Southern California to support Hurricane Hilary response and recovery efforts as the state continues mobilizing and coordinating resources ahead of the storm’s forecasted impacts starting today,” the release read.

Live updates: Hurricane Hilary to bring major flooding risk to California

The storm, which may pour than a year’s worth of rain on parts of the Southwest, weakened from a Category 2 storm to a Category 1 storm on Saturday night as it advanced toward California, according to the National Hurricane Center. The storm has maximum sustained winds of 90 miles per hour, the center said.

The storm has sped up and is moving faster than expected, now moving at 18 mph, and is currently located 535 miles southeast of San Diego. Hilary is expected to continue to weaken as it moves north-northwestward through cooler waters toward Southern California.

Residents in the Southwest are bracing for “catastrophic and life-threatening flooding” as the system is expected to pummel the region as a rare tropical storm, with the harshest impacts expected on Sunday into Monday.

Flooding rain from the storm will start to arrive well in advance of Hilary’s core of stronger winds. Those winds could arrive as soon as Sunday morning, along with more prolific and dangerous rainfall, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Gov. Newsom declares state of emergency for southern California ahead of historic Hurricane Hilary | CNN (2)

Volunteers from the West Orange County Community Emergency Response Team load sandbags for local residents as the hurricane approaches.

(Video) Governor Newsom declares state of emergency as Hurricane Hilary closes in on SoCal

“Hilary has sped up a bit, along with a slight shift eastward in its track. This results in Sunday morning through Sunday evening being the time frame of most impact,” the National Weather Service in San Diego said.

The threat has triggered California’s first ever tropical storm warning extending from the state’s southern border to just north of Los Angeles.

The Southwest is forecast to see heavy rainfall through early next week – with the most intense conditions on Sunday into Monday – as Hilary approaches.

Parts of Southern California and Nevada could see 3 to 6 inches of rain and as many as 10 inches in some places, the center said. Elsewhere, amounts of 1 to 3 inches are forecast.

While Hilary’s core will pack a powerful punch, the NHC warned strong winds and rain will begin far in advance of its arrival.

“Preparations for the impacts of flooding from rainfall should be completed as soon as possible, as heavy rain will increase ahead of the center on Saturday,” the hurricane center said.

An aerial view of damage from Hurricane Dorian on September 5, 2019, in Marsh Harbour, Great Abaco Island in the Bahamas. - Hurricane Dorian lashed the Carolinas with driving rain and fierce winds as it neared the US east coast Thursday after devastating the Bahamas and killing at least 20 people. Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images What rapid intensification means for hurricanes

The center of the storm is expected to hit San Diego Sunday afternoon, sometime between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., executive director of the city’s Office of Emergency Services Chris Heiser said at a Sunday news conference. “This is a large storm with a huge footprint and unlike what we usually see in San Diego,” he said.

In anticipation of the storm, officials across the region have begun to prepare for perilous road conditions, downed power infrastructure and dangerous flood conditions.

Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo announced Friday 100 state National Guard troops will be deployed to southern Nevada, which may see significant flooding.

President Joe Biden said in a Friday news conference the Federal Emergency Management Agency has preemptively positioned personnel and supplies to respond in Southern California or other parts of the region, if needed.

(Video) California governor declares state of emergency as Hurricane Hilary shrinks

Southern California scrambles to prepare

If Hilary makes landfall in California as a tropical storm, it would be the first such storm to do so in the state in nearly 84 years, according to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Parts of Southern California face a high risk for excessive rainfall – also the first Level 4 of 4 threat to be issued for the area. This level of risk is exceptionally rare. From 2010 to 2020, high risks were issued on fewer than 4% of days per year on average, but were responsible for 83% of all flood-related damage and 39% of all flood-related deaths, research from the Weather Prediction Center shows.

Gov. Newsom declares state of emergency for southern California ahead of historic Hurricane Hilary | CNN (4)

Medano Beach in Mexico's Cabo San Lucas is pictured as Hurricane Hilary nears the coast on August 18, 2023.

Nancy Ward, director of the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, said Hilary “could be one of the most devastating storms that we’ve had hit California in more than a decade.”

“Make no mistake,” she said at a Saturday news conference. “This is a very, very dangerous and significant storm.”

The state operation center is activated 24/7 to coordinate response operations and take resource requests across the southern part of the state to “ensure that no needs are unmet in their areas,” Ward said.

First responders are also prepositioned across the southern part of the state to respond quickly, according to Ward.

The state has prepared water rescue teams, California National Guard personnel and flood fighting equipment ahead of Hilary’s arrival, California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office said Friday.

Highway maintenance crews will also be staffed round the clock in order to aid in roadway safety, the governor’s office said.

(Video) State of emergency declared as Hurricane Hilary approaches Southern California

Electricity utility Southern California Edison – which serves more than 15 million people in the region – said Thursday Hilary is on track to impact much of its service area. The company said it is preparing to respond to outages but urged residents to gather supplies including flashlights, external battery chargers and ice chests.

Additionally, roadways may be closed “proactively” out of an abundance of caution to ensure safety, according to Tony Tavares, director of the Department of Transportation.

MIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 31: FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell addresses the media from the National Hurricane Center on May 31, 2023 in Miami, Florida. With the official start of the Atlantic hurricane season on June 1, FEMA and NOAA officials spoke to the media and encouraged people to prepare for the upcoming hurricane season. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) Joe Raedle/Getty Images In a record year of catastrophes, FEMA's disaster fund is slipping into the red before hurricane season even peaks

Brian Ferguson, deputy director of the Office of Emergency Services, told CNN Saturday the office is “all hands on deck” for Hurricane Hilary preparation. He said the office is particularly monitoring desert regions as they prepare for heavy rainfall and potential flooding.

“We’re keeping a very close eye on our desert regions, east of San Diego and Los Angeles. Some parts of these areas may receive double their yearly amount of water in just a single day,” he said. “Certainly, we are going to be watching very carefully for flash floods, mudslides and debris flows in that area, looking at the burn scars from fires that have happened in recent years.”

The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s department issued an evacuation warning for the communities of Oak Glen, Forest Falls, Mountain Home Village, Angelus Oaks, and Northeast Yucaipa. Visitors to Catalina Island, as well as residents with medical, access and functional needs, were “strongly encouraged” to leave the island ahead of the storm in a news release from the City of Avalon.

As the homeless community is particularly at risk for flooding dangers, officials in both Los Angeles and San Diego say they are performing outreach and offering temporary shelter. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said it is also mapping out at-risk encampments and making aerial announcements about the storm.

“We hope that the storm does not cause any damage, and more importantly there is no loss of life,” Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said in a Friday news conference. “But we will prepare for a worst-case scenario, not only to assist people here in our county, but if we are not impacted or affected, we will become a resource to other neighboring counties as needed.”

Gov. Newsom declares state of emergency for southern California ahead of historic Hurricane Hilary | CNN (6)

An Instacart delivery driver loads cases of bottled water as people buy emergency supplies ahead of Hurricane Hilary at a Costco warehouse in Hawthorne, California, on August 19, 2023.

San Diego has also spent the last several days cleaning storm drains, clearing streets and readying equipment, Mayor Todd Gloria said Friday.

(Video) Hurricane Hilary update: CA emergency officials provide update ahead of impacts to the state

The storm threat also prompted Major League Baseball to overhaul its weekend schedule in the region, moving Sunday games hosted by the Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres to instead be split doubleheaders on Saturday. Major League Soccer matches for clubs LA Galaxy and LAFC on Sunday have been rescheduled to later dates.

Additionally, Los Angeles officials announced Saturday all the county’s parks as well as aquatic centers, beaches, playgrounds, restrooms and trails will be closed Monday and Tuesday in anticipation of heavy rain and flooding. A Sunday concert slated to feature My Morning Jacket and Fleet Foxes at the Hollywood Bowl was postponed in coordination with the parks department.

CNN’s Mary Gilbert, Kevin Dotson, Andy Rose, Taylor Romine, Alison Chinchar, Natasha Chen, Raja Razek, and Keith Allen contributed to this report.

(Video) Gov. Newsom declares state of emergency as Hurricane Hilary approaches

FAQs

Gov. Newsom declares state of emergency for southern California ahead of historic Hurricane Hilary | CNN? ›

“Today, Governor Gavin Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency for much of Southern California to support Hurricane Hilary response and recovery efforts as the state continues mobilizing and coordinating resources ahead of the storm's forecasted impacts starting today,” the release read.

What is a cat 1 hurricane? ›

A Category 1 hurricane is characterized by dangerous winds, power outages, and downed trees with typical damage being roof, tree and power line destruction. Experts are debating whether the scale should be revised to include a Category 6 due to increasing intensity of hurricanes.

How many inches of rain did hurricane Hilary get? ›

Rainfall totals from Hilary have reached 13.5 inches in San Bernardino County, and 11.7 inches in the mountains of Riverside County. Los Angeles County recorded over 7 inches of rain.

What is Category 4 hurricane? ›

Category Four Hurricane. Winds 130-156 mph (113-136 kt or 209-251 km/hr). Catastrophic damage will occur: Well-built framed homes can sustain severe damage with loss of most of the roof structure and/or some exterior walls.

What is a Category 2 tropical storm? ›

Australian tropical cyclone intensity scale
CategorySustained windsGusts
Three64–85 kn (119–157 km/h; 74–98 mph)90–121 kn (167–224 km/h; 104–139 mph)
Two48–63 kn (89–117 km/h; 55–72 mph)68–89 kn (126–165 km/h; 78–102 mph)
One34–47 kn (63–87 km/h; 39–54 mph)49–67 kn (91–124 km/h; 56–77 mph)
2 more rows

Has there ever been a Category 6 hurricane? ›

That's because this storm doesn't exist. First things first, there is no such thing is a Category 6 hurricane.

What is the number one killer from hurricanes? ›

Storm surge is the abnormal rise of water generated by a storm's winds. This hazard is historically the leading cause of hurricane related deaths in the United States. Storm surge and large battering waves can result in large loss of life and cause massive destruction along the coast.

What is the biggest hurricane to ever exist? ›

1. Galveston Hurricane (August 1900) The Galveston Hurricane was the deadliest weather disaster in U.S. history, according to NOAA. The storm system formed over the Atlantic, and traveled to the Gulf of Mexico, while picking up strength and speed.

What was strongest hurricane ever? ›

The most intense storm in the North Atlantic by lowest pressure was Hurricane Wilma. The strongest storm by 1-minute sustained winds was Hurricane Allen. Storms which reached a minimum central pressure of 920 millibars (27.17 inHg) or less are listed.

What was the strongest hurricane season ever? ›

The 1780 Atlantic hurricane season ran through the summer and fall in 1780. The 1780 season was extraordinarily destructive, and was the deadliest Atlantic hurricane season in recorded history, with over 28,000 deaths.

What level was Hurricane Katrina? ›

The storm made landfall in Florida on August 25 as a Category 1 hurricane, then moved into the Gulf of Mexico where it intensified into a Category 5. When it made landfall in southeast Louisiana on August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina was classified as a Category 3, with recorded wind speeds of 140 miles per hour.

Has there ever been a Category 7 hurricane? ›

Only one hurricane in world history would rank as a category 7: Hurricane Patricia of 2015, which peaked with 215-mph sustained winds off the Pacific coast of Mexico.

Can a house withstand a Category 4 hurricane? ›

A Category 4 hurricane can easily create massive destruction due to the wind speed ranging between 130-156 mph. These strong winds can often wholly tear the roof and siding from your house.

What is a Category 6 hurricane called? ›

There is officially no such thing as a Category 6 hurricane. But the idea of revising or adding to the scale has been discussed by some climate scientists who believe the current categories may not be adequate for increasingly extreme storms in the future.

Has there ever been a Category 5 hurricane? ›

Since 1960, there have been 28 Category 5 hurricanes to form in the Atlantic, with the last one being Hurricane Ian back in 2022. It was downgraded to a Category 4 before making landfall and doing catastrophic damage throughout parts of Florida.

Can a Category 2 hurricane destroy a house? ›

Category 2 hurricane

According to the NWS, its "extremely dangerous winds" can cause major roof and siding damage to well-constructed homes.

How serious is a cat 1 hurricane? ›

Category 1 (74-95 mph winds)

Category 1 is the lowest category, but it's still a whopper of a storm. You may have roof and siding damage. Large branches will break from older trees, and power outages will occur for a few or several days.

What is a cat 1 vs 5 hurricane? ›

To be classified as a hurricane, a tropical cyclone must have one-minute-average maximum sustained winds at 10 m above the surface of at least 74 mph (64 kn, 119 km/h; Category 1). The highest classification in the scale, Category 5, consists of storms with sustained winds of at least 157 mph (137 kn, 252 km/h).

Is a cat 3 hurricane bad? ›

Category 3 hurricane: Wind speed and damage expected

Wind speed: 111-129 mph. Considered a major hurricane. Impact: Devastating damage will occur. Well-built framed homes may incur major damage or removal of roof decking and gable ends.

How strong is cat 1 hurricane? ›

74-95 mph

Videos

1. Newsom discusses SoCal emergency preps due to tropical storm Hilary
(ABC7)
2. State of emergency declared in California for Hurricane Hilary
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3. Governor Newsom addresses Tropical Storm Hilary, SoCal earthquakes
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4. Hurricane Hilary could be Southern California’s first tropical storm since 1939
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5. Southern California under state of emergency as Hilary nears
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6. Tropical Storm Hilary hits Southern California
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