Los Angeles (California) [US], August 20
Governor Gavin Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency for a large area of southern California, as the state braced for a historic hurricane that is predicted to inflict heavy rain and floods, CNN reported.
According to a release from his office, “more than 7,500 boots on the ground” have already been deployed to protect from the impact of Hurricane Hilary.
“Today, Governor Gavin Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency for much of Southern California to support Hurricane Hilary response and recovery efforts as the state continues mobilizing and coordinating resources ahead of the storm’s forecasted impacts starting today,” CNN reported quoting the release.
According to the National Hurricane Centre, the storm, which could pour more than a year’s worth of rain on parts of the Southwest, dropped from a Category 3 storm to a Category 2 storm as it moved into California on Saturday.
According to the centre, the storm is still a major hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 110 miles per hour.
The storm has accelerated and is already moving quicker than projected, at 17 mph, and is now 640 miles southeast of San Diego. Hurricane Hilary is predicted to weaken more as it heads north-northwest through colder waters towards Southern California.
Residents in the Southwest are ready for “catastrophic and life-threatening flooding” as the system is anticipated to wreak havoc on the region as a rare tropical storm, with the worst effects likely on Sunday and Monday, as reported by CNN.
