Recap
Hilary has continued to track north, and is expected to bring rain and strong winds to the intermountain west, as well pas parts of Arizona and Utah. A state of emergency was declared in Nevada, where officials issued a boil water warning in areas where the storm disrupted water systems.
Southern California is still assessing damages from a rare tropical storm in the region. Typically bone-dry desert and mountain regions were deluged over the weekend. Governor Gavin Newsom of California declared a state of emergency in several southern California counties.
Palm Spring officials declared a state of emergency in the southern California city amid intense flooding cause by Storm Hilary. The typically-dry city broke its August daily rainfall record by more than an inch on Sunday, receiving 3.18in of rain. Several cities experienced almost as much rainfall in a single day as they would typically get in an entire year.
Thousands of customers are still without power in Los Angels county, according to data from poweroutage.us. Other southern California counties have mostly restored power.
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Another tropical storm is headed for Texas, forecasters warn. The storm is expected to hit the southern part of Texas’ coast tomorrow and will be called Harold if it is named.
– Guardian staff
Tomorrow morning, 1-2 inches rain could fall over central and northern portions of the Intermountain West, northern Arizona and central Utah, according to the National Hurricane Center. Strong winds area also expected throughout the region.
In southern California, the worst of the storm seems to have passed, but officials are warning residents to remain careful while responders restore roads and infrastructure.
Given the flooding that #Hilary has left behind, it's important to remember that floodwaters can contain dangerous chemicals and objects that could harm you or make you sick. https://t.co/H651y3P5Fh #WeatherReady pic.twitter.com/yFx516gcDQ
— National Weather Service (@NWS) August 21, 2023
Daniel Swain, the UCLA climate scientist who has made a name for himself breaking down the complexities of extreme weather and the climate crisis on social media and on his personal blog, said it has been harder lately to take in and transmit disaster updates via X, formerly known as Twitter.
Since Elon Musk took over the social media company, its platform has been glitchier. Teams responsible for moderating and curtailing misinformation on the app have been made redundant, and conspiracy theories have flourished. A January report found that Tweets containing “climate scam” or other terms linked to climate change denial increased 300% in 2022.
“Twitter was, by the way for the first time that I can remember since I started using it in 2011, almost completely useless yesterday,” said Swain, during a live-streamed update on the impact and path of the tropical storm. “A lot of the information that was there about California weather and Hillary was either conspiracy theories, fabricated.”
US senator Ted Cruz of Texas, was among those who were mislead by misinformation about the storm, sharing a hoax picture of a shark on a flooded highway in Los Angeles with the remark: “Holy crap.”
“I’m still on Twitter, because even in it’s vastly degraded and still declining form it is still better than the alternatives,” Swain said. “But there will come a point I think where that’s no longer true, right?”
Will all this rain cut down the California’s wildfire risks in the coming dry months?
Not really, said UCLA climate scientists Daniel Swain.
The storm hasn’t brought much precipitation to northern California, and the fire season there won’t be affected at all. Patchy rainfall in central California and the Bay area could stave off fires for a few more weeks.
But even in southern California, which saw record rainfall, all this moisture doesn’t mean the region won’t experience destructive wildfires later this year.
“I don’t think we’re gonna have to worry about fires for at least a few weeks,” he said. But by the autumn, as the landscape dries again, “you can still have a very active fire season”.
Another sign of how unusual the current weather is in California: There’s a tornado warning over the busy I-5 highway in southern California.
This cell doesn’t look like much but there’s a #tornado warning in southern Merced County south of Los Banos. Now is not the time to be driving on I-5 in the area. It’s moving slowly north. #CAwx pic.twitter.com/Sz7NVZtelH
— Craig Ceecee, Ph.D. (@CC_StormWatch) August 21, 2023
Here’s a visual breakdown of Hilary’s extraordinary path – compared with all tropical cyclones on record in region.
Hilary's working best track (red) compared with all tropical cyclones in the National Hurricane Center's HURDAT2 record for the eastern North Pacific (1949-2022). pic.twitter.com/8orDdZIPsN
— Dr. Kim Wood (@DrKimWood) August 21, 2023
Hilary’s effects are being felt as far north as Boise, Idaho, setting a seven-decade record for the highest atmospheric moisture observed there.
Boise set a record for the highest amount of moisture observed in the atmosphere by our weather balloons (records back to the 50s) with 1.67" of precipitable water this morning. The previous record was 1.56" set on July 7th, 1972 (2.08" is erroneous). #idwx pic.twitter.com/M2wxDf8TrN
— NWS Boise (@NWSBoise) August 21, 2023
Storm Hilary brought 350% more rainfall than normal for this time of month in parts of California and Nevada, the National Weather Service (NWS) announced.
The historic storm brought between one to eight inches of rain above the average amount in areas of southern California, southern Nevada, and the southern Sierra region, announced the weather service on Twitter, now known as X.
#Hilary brought record rainfall to Srn CA and Srn Sierra and into Srn NV with rainfall amounts of 1-8 inches above average for the month-to date or more than 350% of average for the month to date (8/21). #cawx #nvwx pic.twitter.com/vCtzoO4Xv5
— NWS California-Nevada RFC (@NWSCNRFC) August 21, 2023
Updated
Summary
It is 11.45 am pst (6.45 pm gmt) in California. Here’s what has happened so far concerning Storm Hilary:
Over 10,000 customers are still without power in Los Angels county, according to data from poweroutage.us. Other southern California counties have mostly restored power.
Palm Spring officials have declared a state of emergency in the southern California city amid intense flooding cause by Storm Hilary, the Palm Springs Fire Department posted to Facebook.
A tropical storm is headed for Texas, forecasters warn. The storm is expected to hit the southern part of Texas’ coast tomorrow and will be called Harold if it is named.
Experts warn that Storm Hilary could create “life-threatening” conditions, despite its downgrade Monday morning. Forecasters said that the historic storm could bring flooding and mudslides to southern parts of California.
25 million people from southern California to northern Idaho were under flood warnings as of Monday morning after heavy rain fall from Hilary.
Stay turned for further updates.
Updated
Hurricane Hilary is a highly unusual occurrence – so rare, that there’s not much research on tropical cyclones in California, and whether such storms might increase due to global heating.
It is clear that the climate crisis is fueling extreme weather, and supercharging hurricanes. “Warmer oceans are hurricane fuel,” said UCLA climate scientist Daniel Swain – and studies show that global heating can cause more frequent, wetter hurricanes. The rapid intensification of storms has also become more common in a warming world.
But California has several natural defenses against hurricanes. Cold ocean temperatures along the state’s coast tend to deflate tropical storms, and its strong east-west winds tend to blow hurricanes away. The downward flow of air across the state also tends to squash down storms.
“To my knowledge, no one has ever done a formal study on tropical cyclone hazard in a warming climate in California.” Swain said. And because California’s geography is so different than other parts of the world where hurricanes are common, studies from elsewhere don’t provide reliable insight into what is happening now.
Unusual weather patterns in the Pacific this year, including record high Pacific Ocean temperatures and the combination of a low pressure area along the west coast and a high pressure ridge in the central US created the perfect conditions for a powerful storm to build off Baja California, Mexico that was pulled north through the US.
While it is plausible that much warmer temperatures in the eastern Pacific could fuel more such storms, the unique topography and wind conditions in California could still impede sequel’s to this week’s tropical storm, Swain said. Such storms “will remain a rare event in any foreseeable future,” he said.
Until Hilary, no tropical storm had made landfall in Southern California since 1939, according to the National Weather Service. And meteorologists believe the only tropical cyclone churning at hurricane-force was in 1858.
There is a consensus among researchers that the state is likely to see more wet, intense winter storms – as it did this past winter – as well as more frequent heat waves and more destructive wildfire.
More than 10,000 people experiencing power outages in Los Angeles County
More than 10,000 people are still experiencing power outages in Los Angeles county, according to data from poweroutage.us, which tracks US outages.
The county was severely impacted by Storm Hilary, as flooding and rain damaged roads and power lines.
Other counties within southern California have restored power.
In San Diego, only 487 customers are without power. San Bernardino county has similarly lower rates of power outages, with only 645 customers without power.
Updated
Palm Springs declares local state of emergency
Palm Springs officials have declared a local state of emergency amid ongoing flooding from Storm Hilary.
The Palm Springs City manager gave the declaration as flooding continues in the southern California city.
“Due to unprecedented rainfall and flooding of local roadways and at least one swift water rescue, Palm Springs city manager Scott C Stiles has declared a local emergency due to the critically dangerous impacts of Hurricane Hilary,” the Palm Springs Fire Department posted in a message on Facebook.
“Palm Springs police and fire continue to urge residents to stay home and avoid driving during these dangerous conditions,” fire officials added.
Updated
Here’s more on major flooding caused by Storm Hilary that could impact California, by the Guardian’s Oliver Milman.
Tropical Storm Hilary has weakened after slamming into California but is still set to cause “catastrophic” flooding, forecasters have warned, with the rare storm unleashing historic levels of rainfall to the US south-west.
The National Hurricane Center by Monday morning had downgraded Hilary to a post-tropical cyclone but added that the storm would still bring a “historic amount of rainfall” that is expected to cause “life-threatening to locally catastrophic flash, urban and arroyo flooding”. The storm would also pack strong winds – of about 30mph – and potential landslides and mudslides.
Hilary, the first tropical storm to make landfall in southern California in 84 years, has caused roads to flood and trees to be uprooted, and prompted the shuttering of schools and cancellation of flights as more than 25 million people face flood warnings from the event.
Residents of Los Angeles and San Bernardino county were urged to stay at home. Evacuations have also taken place in many areas. The National Weather Service tweeted on Monday that “virtually all rainfall daily records have been broken thus far” in the Los Angeles area.
Read the full article here.
Satellite images from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) show the progression of other ongoing tropical storms like Franklin and Gert, as well post-tropical cyclone Emily.
.@NOAA's #GOESEast satellite is monitoring a busy tropics today, with #Emily, #Franklin and #Gert churning in the Atlantic and Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine spinning in the Gulf of Mexico.
— NOAA Satellites (@NOAASatellites) August 21, 2023
Latest: https://t.co/ScLdyBac9D pic.twitter.com/qvqDVq8tbA
The National Hurricane Center said Franklin is slowing down over the Caribbean Sea. “Heavy rainfall is expected for Puerto Rico and Hispaniola.”
Gert is “still there but could dissipate any time.”
Emily, which formed over the weekend, has been downgraded from a tropical storm to a “remnant low,” a post-tropical cyclone.
Texas is experiencing a summer of severe drought, so the rainfall is much needed for the southern region of the state and some parts of Louisiana. However, the rest of the state has yet to see any relief.
Over the summer, Governor Greg Abbott issued disaster declarations in over 100 counties experiencing the dangerously dry conditions.
The record-breaking heat has increased the risk of wildfires in the state and threatened vegetation.
Tropical storm heading for Texas
A tropical storm is now heading for Texas. The weather channel announced a tropical storm warning is in effect for the state’s Gulf Coast. Impact is expected tomorrow.
The storm will be known as Harold if it is named.
BREAKING – tropical storm warnings are now in effect for parts of the South Texas coast. More: https://t.co/llKsSSP4L4
— The Weather Channel (@weatherchannel) August 21, 2023
Updated
A major road in Las Vegas is closed due to damage caused by the historic storm, transportation officials announced on Monday.
Nevada Department of Transportation for the Las Vegas area said that parts of the Kyle Canyon road are closed due to flood damage, said officials on Twitter, now known as X.
“Crews are assessing the situation. There is no updated estimate for reopening at this time,” said officials.
UPDATE: SR-157 (Kyle Canyon Rd) is closed at SR-158 (Deer Creek Rd) due to flood damage. Crews are assessing the situation. There is no updated estimate for reopening at this time. pic.twitter.com/reh0rvuIme
— Nevada DOT Vegas (@nevadadotvegas) August 21, 2023
A boil order has been issued for some Nevada residents as Hilary’s downpour damaged water systems.
Residents who use Kyle Canyon Water System have been placed under an emergency boil order after the storm damaged local water systems, KSNV Las Vegas reported.
Overnight flooding in areas of Clark county, Nevada caused a major reservoir in the county to leak.
Officials have placed some residents under the boil order as crews examine damage and make repairs.
Updated
The Lake Meade recreation area will be closed on Monday due to effects of the intense storm.
The popular attraction was be closed Monday “for the purposes of maintaining public healthand safety due”, said park officials, reported USA Today.
The national park, home to the nation’s largest man made reservoir, also experienced power outages and other utility problems due to the storm.
Updated
Experts are warning people not to walk through flood waters, which could contain dangerous bacteria.
From the Weather Channel:
PSA: Do not walk in flood waters unless you have to! Many dangers lurk there, from downed powerlines to unhealthy bacteria.
— The Weather Channel (@weatherchannel) August 21, 2023
Now that we got that out of the way, here's what we know now about #Hilary's impact. Tune in to our LIVE coverage for more! pic.twitter.com/QZT0wWdw5Q
It is 6.45 am pst (1.45 pm gmt) in California, where Hilary caused massive flooding and record rainfall.
Here are photos showing the intense levels of rain and flooding in the Southern California area.
Tents belonging to homeless people are seen along the Los Angeles River in Long Beach as Tropical Storm Hilary makes its way through Southern California, U.S. Photograph: Zaydee Sanchez/Reuters
Tents belonging to homeless people are seen along the Los Angeles River in Long Beach as Tropical Storm Hilary makes its way through Southern California, U.S. August 20, 2023. Photograph: Zaydee Sanchez/Reuters
First responders rescued over a dozen unhoused people who were trapped in knee-deep water in southern California, AP reported.
Fire officials saved 13 people who were caught in a flooded homeless encampment near the San Diego River.
San Diego officials said on Friday that that city has been doing outreach to provide shelter beds to unhoused communities ahead of the storms.
“Weather’s just one more thing that wreaks havoc on the lives of people who are unsheltered, whether it’s the extreme heat that we’ve been having, whether it’s this potential tropical storm bringing all this rain and wind,” Michael McConnell, a homeless advocate, said during a Friday press conference, CBS News 8 reported.
“It damages people’s property, it can hurt their health, put them in dangerous situations if they’re in flood zones, you name it, it’s just dangerous for people out here on the street.”
Updated
Hilary could still be life-threatening, forecasters say, despite downgrading
Forecasters warn that Tropical Storm Hilary could still be “life-threatening” despite being downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone on Monday, AP reported.
Officials with the National Hurricane Center in Miami warned in a Monday advisory that “continued life-threatening and locally catastrophic flooding” were expected in areas of the US south-west.
Experts have warned that flooding and mudslides could target the region.
Coastal warnings have been discontinued, AP further reported.
Updated
Tropical Storm Hilary hit parts of Mexico and southern California on Sunday, with mud slides and additional flooding still expected, Associated Press reported.
Hilary is the first tropical storm to hit southern California in 84 years, as forecasters warn that such extreme weather events are tied to climate change.
Hilary caused record rain throughout the southern California region, with cities like Palm Springs experiencing downpours of nearly 3.18 inches, a higher amount for the area than usual.
Updated
Tropical Storm Hilary brings record rain and floods
Good morning.
Tropical Storm Hilary brought record rain and flooding to much of the US south-west region this past weekend.
Forecasters warn that additional flooding and mudslides are still possible as millions are still under flood warnings, CBS News reported.
Though the storm has been downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone as of Monday morning, nearly 25 million people from California to parts of northern Idaho are under flood warnings, CNN reported.
The storm left many parts of southern California underwater, NPR reported. Thousands in the region were without power, as schools have largely closed on Monday due to the natural disaster.
Stay tuned for more updates.
