The Latest Updates on Hurricane Hilary
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Hurricane Hilary, the storm responsible for Southern California’s first-ever tropical storm warning, has officially dissipated. How strong exactly was this disaster, where did it hit, and how much damage was caused? Here’s the latest update about the record-breaking Hurricane Hilary.
Where did Hurricane Hilary strike?
Hurricane Hilary began south of Mexico due to a large tropical wave in the eastern Pacific on August 12th. The storm was originally classified as a tropical storm and was given the name Hilary on the 16th. The storm moved northwest and eventually became strong enough to be classified as a Category 4 hurricane on the 17th. Thankfully, Hilary weakened before it made landfall, and it touched down as a tropical storm on August 20th.
Hilary first hit land in San Quentin, Baja California, just over 200 miles south of San Diego. It moved north, eventually crossing the border into the United States. On the morning of the 21st, the storm had moved into the San Joaquin Valley and had weakened enough to be reclassified as a post-tropical cyclone. From there, the storm moved eastward through the U.S., bringing rain but no serious damage.
How much property damage did Hilary damage?
The full extent of the property damage caused by Hilary is not yet clear, but it is certainly significant in some areas. In Mexico, Hilary damaged roofs, windows, power lines, and trees in Cabo San Lucas and other towns along the Baja California peninsula. It also flooded roads, bridges, and homes in some areas.
In California, Hilary has caused power outages for more than 24,000 customers in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties. It has also flooded roads and highways in some areas, making travel treacherous. Some communities have issued evacuation orders or warnings for residents in low-lying or flood-prone areas.
Was anyone killed or injured?
Hurricane Hilary has caused a reported four deaths, one directly from the hurricane and three indirectly through other events caused by the hurricane. All four of these deaths occurred in Mexico, and so far no fatalities have been reported in the United States.
What is being done to help victims recover from the hurricane?
The Mexican government has activated its national emergency plan and sent soldiers and emergency workers to help with the recovery efforts in Baja California. It has also set up shelters and distributed food and water to affected residents. The U.S. government has also offered assistance to Mexico through its embassy in Mexico City, and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) said it was ready to provide humanitarian aid if requested by the Mexican government.
As for California, the state’s governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency ahead of Hilary’s arrival so the state’s resources were prepared to help aid victims of the storm. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) coordinated with state and local officials to provide support, and the American Red Cross said it was preparing to open shelters and provide assistance to affected residents.