Hurricane Hilary Has Los Angeles Under First-Ever Tropical Storm Watch – Deadline

Los Angeles and the rest of Southern California is bracing for a potentially historic weather event this weekend as Hurricane Hilary barrels up the Mexico coast. The National Weather Service today issued the first-ever tropical storm watch for the region from San Diego northward through L.A. and Ventura counties as Hilary threatens to strengthen into a walloping Category 5 storm.

It is the first tropical storm warning ever put in place between Hawaii and Texas, the NWS said. Weather officials are warning of “life-threatening rainfall and flooding” and say some SoCal areas could get two to three years worth of rain in just two or three days, including up to 10 inches in some localities.

Hurricane Hilary was upgraded Friday morning to a Category 4 storm, meaning winds of 130-156 mph that can cause “catastrophic damage.” Hilary has intensified rapidly, going from a tropical storm to a Cat 4 hurricane in just 24 hours. It will weaken as it crosses into Southern California, but NWS warns that flash flooding is possible across Los Angeles and Ventura counties and perhaps Santa Barbara County. Rare and dangerous flooding also is possible across the mountains.

The speed of the storm counts a lot. If it rolls slowly over land, it could be more destructive with winds and rain for longer periods.

Authorities up and down the coast and inland to Palm Springs and beyond are making preparations and urging residents to take the storm seriously. Los Angeles County officials have called a news conference for 2 p.m. to discuss storm preparedness plans in the county. Among those scheduled are Sheriff Robert Luna, Fire Chief Tony Marrone, Office of Emergency Management Director Kevin McGowan, Supervisor Janice Hahn and Public Works Assistant Director Anthony Nyivih.

No tropical storm has made landfall in California in 84 years, and only three have happened in recorded history. The 1939 storm caused widespread damage, and the affected areas are much more heavily populated now.