Hurricane Hilary Live Updates: South California inundated, state of emergency declared

Some social media posts have claimed that the Universal Studios in Los Angeles is flooded as rain battered several areas due to Hurricane Hilary.

A magnitude 5.1 earthquake hit Southern California as it braced for Hurricane Hilary. The epicenter was in Ojai, between Santa Barbara and Ventura. The quake occurred along the Sisar fault, according to USGS data. A social media post by Ventura County Sheriff revealed there were no immediate reports of damage. 

Southwest Airlines and Frontier Airlines announced that it has suspended flights to and from Ontario International Airport. Southwest Airlines is suspending “all flights from 12pm on Sunday 8/20 through 10:30am on Monday 8/21,” according to a post on X. Further, Frontier Airlines is suspending “all flights on Sunday 8/20 and Monday 8/21”.

Flash flood warnings have been issued for over nine million people in downtown Los Angeles and other areas. As Hilary starts moving through Southern California, the rain that has already been falling is expected to get heavier. Even before the hurricane's arrival, the wind increased to 78 mph in the Southern California mountains.

Tropical Storm Hilary wreaks havoc on West Coast air travel. According to FlightAware, flight cancellations reach 944, with Southwest Airlines topping the list at 683 cancellations. Over a third of San Diego flights, 40% of Palm Springs departures, and 30% of arrivals were impacted. Los Angeles International experiences fewer disruptions with less than 5% cancellations.

One fatality has been reported in Mexico as Hilary strikes Baja California. A vehicle was swept away near Santa Rosalía, leading to the tragic loss, as confirmed by Mexican authorities. Hilary, which initially hit Mexico as a hurricane, has now weakened to a tropical storm on its journey toward California.

The National Weather Service's Weather Prediction Center has issued a "high risk" warning for more than 5 million individuals in Southern California and southwestern Nevada due to excessive rainfall. The warning, which indicates widespread flash floods are anticipated, holds significant gravity, constituting almost 40% of flood-related fatalities and over 80% of flood-related damage, as stated on the center's website.

Formerly a hurricane, Hilary now holds tropical storm status with sustained winds of 70 mph. Progressing along Mexico's Baja California Peninsula, the storm is forecasted to deliver substantial rainfall to Southern California from this afternoon through Monday morning, as outlined by the National Weather Service.

Santa Rosalía, a picturesque town on the Gulf coast of the Baja California peninsula, experienced significant damage from Hurricane Hilary. Mayor Edith Aguilar Villavicencio shared a video while assessing the aftermath, revealing downed utility poles and debris-strewn streets. Flooding was also captured in a previous video she shared. The mayor expressed concern about Natividad Island off the peninsula's west coast, stating that communication lines are down following the hurricane's passage.

In San Quintín, Baja California, the storm is disrupting phone signal and Wi-Fi connections, hindering road condition monitoring, according to Jorge Alberto López Peralta, president of the municipal council. He reported moderate rains and winds without damage so far. Mexico's recent meteorological update places Hilary about 124 miles south of San Quintín.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) administrator Deanne Criswell affirmed the close monitoring of Hurricane Hilary's approach towards Southern California. Resources and personnel are being mobilized for assistance. On CNN's State of the Union, Criswell urged residents to heed the storm's seriousness. 

Addressing concerns about dwindling FEMA funds due to multiple weather-related disasters, Criswell acknowledged potential funding shortages but assured that measures will be taken to ensure adequate funds for immediate responses. Criswell indicated plans to shift recovery projects into the next fiscal year to maintain sufficient resources for immediate life-saving requirements.

As Hurricane Hilary approaches Southern California, predicted to hit as a tropical storm on Sunday, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) have canceled planned picketing in Los Angeles on Monday. Both unions cited safety concerns due to the anticipated tropical storm, heavy rain, wind, and possible flooding.

The weakening Hurricane Hilary is predicted to strike Southern California and southern Nevada, targeting deserts and mountains with heavy rain and potential flooding.

Accelerated arrival: Tropical-storm-force winds are anticipated to hit San Diego County earlier than initially projected, around late Sunday afternoon.

Concern for Sunday afternoon and evening: Officials are particularly worried about impacts on Sunday afternoon and evening across Southern California due to the storm's shifted track.

Size: Hurricane Hilary covers a vast area, approximately the size of Arizona, heightening the potential for widespread impacts.

Risk areas: The primary threat is heavy rain and flooding, especially in deserts and mountains. Similar to Baja California, this storm is expected to bring significant impacts to some areas.

Historic flooding potential: Forecasters are warning of possible historic floods in regions like San Bernardino and Inyo counties, with Death Valley and Morongo Basin at high risk.

Vulnerable roads: Roads in Death Valley and Highway 62 could face closures, while other areas, like San Gabriel Mountains and Antelope Valley, are at risk of dangerous floods, landslides, and debris flows.

Torrential rain: Intense rain rates exceeding an inch per hour, or even up to 2 inches per hour, are predicted. Such downpours could lead to catastrophic flooding in various terrains.

Desert deluge: Certain Southern California desert regions could witness a year's worth of rain within just 24 hours, including Palm Springs and Joshua Tree National Park.

Flash flooding on border: Flash flooding is likely along the California-Arizona border, impacting areas like Parker, Blythe, and Yuma.

Coastal effects: Coastal regions, such as Anaheim, Irvine, San Clemente, and San Diego, could experience up to 2.5 inches of rain, although less severe than inland areas.

Hurricane relief shelters are considered "protected areas" by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Undocumented residents seeking shelter from Hurricane Hilary won't be targeted by immigration officials. While search and rescue missions may involve immigration and Border Patrol personnel, assistance will be provided irrespective of immigration status. DHS emphasizes its commitment to providing aid, shelter, and assistance to everyone affected by Hurricane Hilary, regardless of their immigration status.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department has issued evacuation orders for Oak Glen, Forest Falls, Mountain Home Village, Angelus Oaks, and Northeast Yucaipa due to Hurricane Hilary's imminent heavy rainfall. The Category 1 storm poses risks of dangerous flooding and mudslides. This move is part of California's proactive approach to safeguarding rural communities and wildfire-affected regions susceptible to flooding, mudslides, and debris flows.

Hilary is on the brink of striking the west coast of Baja California, posing catastrophic flood threats to the region and parts of the southwestern U.S. The National Hurricane Center predicts that, while Hilary could weaken to a tropical storm before reaching Southern California, it remains a formidable danger.

Hurricane and Tropical Storm Warnings and Watches span the Baja California peninsula and areas of Mexico and California, including Los Angeles. As Hilary's impact unfolds, residents are urged to stay vigilant and those across the southwestern U.S. should stay informed about the storm's progress.

The Weather Prediction Center forecasts a high risk of excessive rainfall in Southern California and Southern Nevada due to Hurricane Hilary merging with an upper low. This convergence will accelerate northward across the region, with heavy upslope rains anticipated in the southern Sierra Nevada and Peninsula Ranges of California. 

Precipitable water values are expected to approach or exceed records, leading to a potential for 3" of rain in an hour. This extreme rainfall could lead to mudslides, landslides, and flash flood emergencies. The combined impact of heavy rainfall and high winds might block roads and cut off towns. The High-Risk designation for these areas remains justified due to the unprecedented nature of this event.

The National Weather Service has indicated the possibility of a few tornadoes in California, including the Mojave Desert and Imperial Valley, on Sunday. While tornadoes are infrequent in the state, it experiences approximately 11 annually. According to forecasts, the highest risk zone for tornadoes is forecasted to be the southwestern Mojave Desert, spanning between San Diego and the Colorado River.

Around 5 p.m. local time, Hurricane Hilary is forecasted to hit Tijuana on the Baja California peninsula in Mexico, as confirmed by the state governor. As early Sunday brought light rain, authorities initiated National Guard escorts on the Tijuana-Mexicali highway due to the impending storm.

More than 6,500 Mexican soldiers have been deployed to Baja California and Baja California Sur as Hurricane Hilary approaches, distributing supplies and constructing shelters in coastal states. Despite these preparations, some individuals remain unperturbed due to past false alarms.

Governor Gavin Newsom labeled Hurricane Hilary an "unprecedented storm" and declared a state of emergency in 11 California counties, including Los Angeles, San Diego, and Orange on Saturday. He announced the closure of several beaches and 10 state parks, while over 7,500 emergency responders were dispatched across the state in response to the situation.

Mayor Karen Bass of Los Angeles has declared a local emergency, seeking swift access to state and federal resources. She also revealed the activation of the city's emergency operations center at Level 2. This level is typically reserved for significant events like major fires, storms, or moderate earthquakes.

Due to Hurricane Hilary's tropical storm warning, a range of closures and cancellations have been announced across Southern California. The Los Angeles Zoo is closing on Sunday and Monday, as is the LA County Parks system, encompassing various facilities and venues. The Disney Junior & Friends Playdate events at Downtown Disney District won't take place on Sunday. 

LA's CicLAvia event and the Los Angeles Football Club vs. Colorado Rapids soccer match have also been canceled and postponed respectively. California State Parks is temporarily closing all state beaches in Orange and San Diego counties on both Sunday and Monday due to the storm's potential effects. Additionally, inland state parks like Cuyamaca State Park will close due to flooding concerns.