United States: torrential rains fall in California as storm Hilary approaches

Torrential rains fell Sunday, August 20 in California as tropical storm Hilary approaches, threatening the southwest of the United States where dangerous flooding is feared after its passage in Mexico that killed one person. A magnitude 5.1 earthquake also occurred near the southern California city of Ojai, but there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties.

Torrential rains fell Sunday, August 20 in California affected by tropical storm Hilary. Getty Images via AFP - MARIO TAMA

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Even downgraded from hurricane to tropical storm, Hilary remained dangerous with winds of 95 km / h that swept Sunday afternoon the peninsula of Baja California in Mexico, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC) of the United States. The storm, very rare for Southern California, was moving at a steady pace of 37 km/h, the NHC added.

On Sunday night, the NHC warned of a "potentially historic amount of precipitation" that is expected to "locally cause catastrophic flash floods that could threaten lives" in parts of the state through Monday morning.

A local ABC affiliate aired a video of severe flooding in parts of Palm Springs outside Los Angeles, while the National Parks Department announced that Death Valley National Park was closed due to "dangerous flooding conditions."

Heavy rains in Southern California — brought on by Tropical Storm Hilary — have caused roads to flood in some parts of the region. Follow along for live updates: https://t.co/7pAdUrmr9A pic.twitter.com/VQj4FsDDqg

— ABC News (@ABC) August 21, 2023

The US Federal Crisis Management Agency (FEMA) has deployed its teams to the regions that Hilary has to cross. According to Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, "this is an unprecedented weather event."

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency in most of the southern region of the state. "Stay safe, California," he wrote on social media as Hilary approached.

Stay safe, California. https://t.co/dVweHiD1Qa

— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) August 20, 2023

Five reception centers have been set up and 7,500 agents are mobilized, including rescue teams and several hundred soldiers, according to the governor's office.

Securing ships before the storm arrives

San Diego is preparing for potentially dangerous flooding. The population was ready to contain them with sandbags, while the civil security asked the inhabitants not to go to sea.

In this large military port on the Pacific, the U.S. Navy said ships and submarines would set sail before the storm arrives: "Safety remains our top priority, and putting all possible ships at sea makes it easier for us to manage the situation ashore," U.S. Third Fleet Commander Michael Boyle said in a statement.

According to Nancy Ward, director of the California governor's office of emergency services, Hilary could be one of the worst storms to hit the state in more than a decade. "It's a very, very dangerous and major storm," she said.

Oregon and Idaho also on alert

Parts of Oregon and Idaho are also expected to experience heavy rain and possible flash flooding, the NHC also warned. Possible tornadoes could form in southeastern California, western Arizona, southern Nevada and extreme southwestern Utah, he added.

US President Joe Biden is closely following the preparations, according to the White House. He is also scheduled to travel with First Mame Jill Biden to Hawaii on Monday to see the damage caused by the wildfires and learn about ongoing search operations.

As soon as Tropical Storm Hilary's path became clear, my Administration took immediate action to prepare: deploying personnel and supplies, and planning rapid response and search-and-rescue efforts.

My Administration stands ready to provide additional assistance and will...

— President Biden (@POTUS) August 21, 2023

At least one dead in Mexico and 19,000 soldiers mobilized

In Mexico, Hilary and its torrential rains killed one person and damaged infrastructure south of the Baja California peninsula. The victim was swept away with his vehicle by a sudden rise in water, said the Mexican agency of civil protection, warning of possible landslides and blocked roads in Baja California. It was the first tropical storm of the season to make landfall on the Pacific side.

The government of the state of Baja California, where the city of Tijuana is located, has opened temporary shelters. The Mexican government has deployed nearly 19,000 troops to the states hardest hit by the storm, while the federal utility has sent 800 personnel and hundreds of vehicles to deal with possible outages.

According to scientists, storms are becoming more powerful as the world warms with climate change.

See alsoThe damage caused by natural disasters in the world estimated at $ 120 billion in the first half of the year

(

With AFP)

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