Tropical Storm Hilary moves into California as flooding, mudslides wreak havoc on state after also being hit with earthquake
Pounding rain and ferocious winds flooded roads and brought down trees across Southern California on Sunday night as Tropical Storm Hilary unleashed its wrath on the region.
The historic storm, previously classified as a hurricane, put millions under flash flood watches and warnings as the heavy rain trapped dozens of cars in rising floodwaters in Palm Springs and the surrounding communities.
Before the storm impacted the area, residents were startled by a 5.1-magnitude earthquake and ensuing aftershocks that rocked Ojai, a city about 80 miles northwest of Los Angeles, on Sunday afternoon.
There were no immediate reports of major damage or injury from the quakes.
Hilary first made landfall earlier Sunday across Mexico’s Baja California peninsula.
The storm’s mayhem killed one man in the country when his car was swept away by flooding, officials said.
Mud and boulders also spilled onto highways, including two massive rocks that tumbled onto Interstate 8 in San Diego, according to the California Department of Transportation.
There were no reported injuries or deaths from the storm on Sunday night.
Still, forecasters cautioned residents to stay inside as the quick-moving storm rolled through the area.
The National Weather Service’s Los Angeles office said in an evening post on X, formerly known as Twitter, that heavy rain continued to hit much of LA and Ventura counties.
“PLEASE STAY HOME AND OFF THE ROADS TONIGHT,” the agency tweeted. “This is a DANGEROUS situation.”
The highest total of rain was recorded at Leona Valley at 6.15 inches while Lewis Ranch notched 5.94 inches, the agency said.
Schools across both Los Angeles and San Diego will be closed Monday due to the storm.
“There is no way we can compromise the safety of a single child or an employee, and our inability to survey buildings, our inability to determine access to schools makes it nearly impossible for us to open schools,” Los Angeles Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho said.
Hundreds of flights in LA, San Diego and Las Vegas were canceled.
Forecasters also warned of possible tornadoes in eastern San Diego County.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom previously declared a state of emergency as mayors from San Diego and Los Angeles also issued emergency declarations.
“It’s quite amazing. I’ve never seen anything like this,” said Sean Julian, 54, of Rancho Mirage.
“I’m seeing a lot more trees down. And there’s a big tree that just fell over there, and I probably shouldn’t be out here.”
Other states were also bracing for the heavy rain, including Nevada, which declared a state of emergency as Gov. Joe Lombardo called in 100 National Guard troops to help with any issues that come from the severe weather.
Arizona, Oregon and Idaho were also facing the threat of damaging winds and rain from Hilary.
President Biden said in a Sunday statement that the federal government deployed resources to the area impacted by Hilary and is ready to provide more support if needed.
“I urge people to take this storm seriously, and listen to state and local officials,” he said.
Across the border in Mexico, the Mexican army used bulldozers and dump trucks to clear tons of boulders and debris from roads.
Almost 2,000 people were evacuated to shelters, the country’s army said.
“We’ve always been aware that it’s a risky area. A lot of water runs (nearby) but what are we going to do? It’s the only place we have to live,” said Yolanda Contreras, who lives in the area of Rosarito, 15 miles from the border.
With Post wires
