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 Southwest.
Experts have warned that flooding and mudslides could target the region.
Coastal warnings have been discontinued, AP further reported.
Key events
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
— The Weather Channel (@weatherchannel) August 21, 2023
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.”
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 Southwest.
Experts have warned that flooding and mudslides could target the region.
Coastal warnings have been discontinued, AP further reported.
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.
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.