Tropical Storm Hilary doused Southern California, spanning from coastal areas to the inland mountains and deserts on Sunday evening. This event prompted swift river rescues and compelled some of the largest school districts in the nation to cancel classes for Monday. As the storm's intensity diminished, millions of individuals prepared for further flooding and potential mudslides.
This marked the first occurrence of a tropical storm hitting Los Angeles in over 80 years, resulting in torrents of flooding across regions in Southern California that are more accustomed to drought. As authorities began assessing the extent of the damage, they urged the public to prioritize safety.
While the storm's power waned and it was reclassified as a tropical depression, California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency for a substantial portion of Southern California. Flash flood alerts were in effect until at least 3 a.m. (1000 GMT) on Monday.
Forecasters cautioned about hazardous flash floods impacting Los Angeles and Ventura Counties. Firefighters successfully rescued 13 people from a homeless encampment along the rising San Diego River, where water levels had reached knee-deep. In the meantime, rain and debris caused road closures and left stranded vehicles in standing water. Efforts were undertaken to pump floodwaters out of the emergency room at Rancho Mirage's Eisenhower Medical Center.
The mountainous and desert regions were anticipated to receive 5 to 10 inches (12 to 25 cm) of rain, an amount rarely observed in deserts throughout a year, according to meteorologists. The storm's center was projected to traverse Nevada rapidly on Monday, eventually dissipating later in the day.
Before losing strength, the storm had passed through Mexico's Baja California peninsula, resulting in at least one fatality and triggering flash flooding that eroded roads.
Unverified visuals on social media showed forceful muddy torrents coursing down eroded streets.