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Hilary updates: Over 1 foot of rain hits San Bernardino as LA avoids catastrophe

Hilary soaked Southern California, flooding roads and knocking out power.

All tropical storm warnings have been canceled across Southern California as the remnants of Hilary, which no longer meet the threshold of a tropical cyclone, track north.

Once a Category 4 hurricane, Hilary tore through Southern California with historic rainfall on Sunday, flooding roads and knocking out power.

Latest headlines:

Hilary's record-breaking stats, tropical storm warnings canceled across southern california, la schools expected to reopen on tuesday.

• LA residents should stay vigilant for mudslides, downed wires

Hilary, the first tropical storm to move into Southern California since 1997, marked the first time ever that tropical storm watches were issued in the region.

Sunday set a new record for the wettest August day ever in Palm Springs, San Diego and downtown Los Angeles.

Hilary's highest rain total was in Upper Mission Creek in San Bernardino County, where 13 inches of rainfall was recorded.

-ABC News' Melissa Griffin

Rescue teams work to evacuate hundreds of people

In Forest Falls, California, about 700 people are sheltering in place after mud and debris flow cut a road off from the rest of the community, according to the San Bernardino County Fire Department. No injuries were reported and crews are working to restore road access, the fire department said.

In nearby Seven Oaks, another 30 people are sheltering in place after flash floods struck several cabins in the area, the fire department said. Crews are working to access the residents and evacuate them, the department said.

All tropical storm warnings have been canceled across Southern California as the remnants of Hilary, which no longer meet the threshold of a tropical cyclone, track north, according to Ariel Cohen, meteorologist in charge at the National Weather Service Los Angeles.

Residual mudslides and rockslides are still a threat in California from the weekend rain.

The moisture from Hilary is now moving through the Rockies. On Monday, the flooding threat will be from the Sierra Nevada mountains into the northern Rockies in Idaho and eastern Oregon.

Los Angeles "avoided a potentially catastrophic set of conditions" from Hilary, LAUSD Superintendent Alberto Carvalho said Monday.

Carvalho defended the decision to close LA's public schools on Monday citing reasons including that many students walk to school and many employees live outside of LA.

"It would have been reckless for us to make a different decision" on Sunday, he said.

Schools appear to be in good condition, he said, noting that about 24 schools don't have phone or internet access and one elementary school that serves students with disabilities appears to have been impacted by a mudslide.

Carvalho said students should expect to resume their regular school day on Tuesday.

Nearly 1,000 flights canceled ahead of storm

Airlines have canceled 944 flights so far as Tropical Storm Hilary approaches the West Coast, according to FlightAware .

The majority of the affected airports are in the West.

Southwest Airlines has cancelled 683 flights, the most flights of all U.S. airlines.

The airline has canceled all flights in and out of Palm Springs International Airport until at least Monday.

-ABC News' Sam Sweeny

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Hilary moves into Southern California after making landfall in Mexico's Baja California peninsula

By Kerry Breen

Updated on: August 21, 2023 / 12:56 PM EDT / CBS News

Tropical Storm Hilary moved into Southern California on Sunday evening just hours after making landfall in the northern part of Mexico's Baja California Peninsula. Officials warned of " catastrophic and life-threating flooding " in Mexico and the southwestern U.S.

Hilary was downgraded to a tropical storm a few hours before making landfall, as rain from the storm started spreading in Southern California, the National Weather Service said . Then it was downgraded again, to a post-tropical cyclone early Monday morning. The system was expected to dissipate later in the day but still produce heavy rainfall, significant flooding and gusty winds across the western U.S.

As of 8 a.m. PDT Monday, Hilary was about 115 miles west-northwest of Elko, Nevada, and racing north-northeast at 24 mph with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph.

It was the first time ever that the National Hurricane Center issued a  tropical storm warning  for Southern California, and California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency ahead of the storm.

More than half a year's worth of rain fell in the desert city of Palm Springs, California, CBS News correspondent Carter Evans reports. Mount Wilson in Angeles National Forest recorded over 8.5 inches of rain as of 7 a.m. PDT, the top amount reported by the National Weather Service's Los Angeles office. Beverly Hills recorded 4.8 inches, and downtown LA recorded nearly 3 inches.

"We are ready," Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass told "Face the Nation" on Sunday. 

Tropical storm conditions began Sunday in the southwestern U.S., with gusty winds spreading well inland. The National Hurricane Center said large swells are expected to effect portions of the Baja California peninsula as well as Southern California over the next several days. The California Department of Parks and Recreation on Saturday ordered a temporary closure of all San Diego and Orange County state beaches and several state parks.  

• Latest storm coverage from CBS Los Angeles

Disneyland announced Saturday that the parks would be closing early on Sunday, with Disney California Adventure Park closing at 9 p.m., Disneyland Park closing at 10 p.m. and the Downtown Disney District will close at 11 p.m. 

Other parts of the southwestern U.S. were preparing, with the National Weather Service in Las Vegas warning on Sunday that strong winds were likely, as well as flash flooding. A state of emergency was declared in Nevada and in Clark County, where Las Vegas is located. 

By the time it reached California, Hilary had been downgraded to a tropical storm, which is defined as having winds of at least 39 mph,  according to  the National Weather Service.    

However, it was still packing a punch. Widespread "moderate to heavy" rain was expected into early Monday for Southern California, with a high risk of flash flooding that could include "landslides, mudslides and debris flow" in mountains and deserts, according to the National Weather Service in San Diego .

The weather service forecast  that some areas had at least a 70% chance of experiencing flash flooding.

By Monday morning, all coastal warnings had been discontinued, the hurricane center said. However, the National Weather Service's Weather Prediction Center said flood watches were in effect for Southern California, northwest Arizona, much of Nevada, southwest Utah, eastern Oregon, western and central Idaho and southeast Washington. A flood watch means flooding is possible in those areas.

LA County officials had advised all residents and visitors on California's Catalina Island to leave as soon as possible ahead of the storm's arrival.

A White House spokesperson said that President Biden had been briefed on Hilary and that his team was working "with state and local agencies ahead of the storm." The president and his family are vacationing in Lake Tahoe in Northern California. The president and first lady Jill Biden are slated to travel to Hawaii Monday to survey the destruction from the Maui wildfires . 

• How to prepare for hurricane season, according to weather experts

"It is rare — indeed  nearly unprecedented  in the modern record — to have a tropical system like this move through Southern California," said Greg Postel, a hurricane and storm specialist at the Weather Channel who has a doctorate in atmospheric sciences.

Postel said there will likely be "damaging wind gusts," especially at higher elevations, in the area, and swells along the coast.  

California was drenched by a historic amount of rain this winter after being hit with an unprecedented number of atmospheric rivers. Chris Heiser, emergency services director for the city of San Diego, told CBS News on Friday that those storms may have helped prepare officials for what is to come from Hilary.

"That really allowed us to get a feel for what the impact of heavy rains and winds are," Heiser said. "But this one's got some unique features. The amount of rainfall is substantial, especially up in the mountains. And the majority of the population of San Diego is at the base of those mountains."

"We're looking at this to be a significant storm, possibly one of those that sets records, and so we're preparing accordingly," he added.

The Navy moved vessels out of San Diego Bay on Saturday to avoid damage from the storm. Ships and submarines left Naval Base San Diego, Naval Base Coronado and Naval Base Point Loma and will remain at sea until Hilary passes over the region, the Navy said in a  news release .

"In order to ensure the safety of our Sailors and ships, we are taking all necessary measures to mitigate potential damage to infrastructure and Third Fleet vessels caused by the storm," said Vice Adm. Michael Boyle, commander, U.S. Third Fleet, in the news release. "Safety remains our top priority, and putting all capable ships to sea makes it easier for us to manage the situation ashore."

California State Parks announced that all state beaches in San Diego and Orange counties would be closed Sunday and Monday, while the National Park Service closed the popular Joshua Tree National Park, located east of Palm Springs, through Monday evening over fears of flash flooding.   

The city of San Diego followed suit with all city beaches and public buildings. 

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said in a news briefing that "swift water rescue personnel and rescue aircraft are on alert and ready for immediate response."

LA County officials also asked the homeless to stay away from waterways and river channels during the storm.

Pasadena Unified School District and Los Angeles Unified School District, the second largest school district in the country, both said all public schools would be closed Monday.

In San Bernardino County, located about 70 miles east of LA, officials issued evacuation alerts for several mountain communities. 

Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo announced late Friday that 100 National Guard troops had been activated ahead of Hilary. He declared a state of emergency Sunday.

The San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angeles Angels all had home games scheduled for Sunday. However, those games were shifted to Saturday double-headers in anticipation of the storm.  

Capistrano Beach in the Orange County city of Dana Point Friday was one of several where crews built berms to protect the coastal community from high surf.

"We're getting ready now ahead of this event as it makes landfall to make sure we're prepared," said Chris Dargan, a spokesperson for California Governor's Office of Emergency Services.

-Alex Sundby contributed reporting.

• Weather Forecast
• Hurricane Hilary

Kerry Breen is a reporter and news editor at CBSNews.com. A graduate of New York University's Arthur L. Carter School of Journalism, she previously worked at NBC News' TODAY Digital. She covers current events, breaking news and issues including substance use.

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Tropical Storm Hilary moves on from California, leaving a trail of damage and debris

Emily Olson

Rachel Treisman

A worker from the Coachella Valley Water Department surveys debris flowing across a road following heavy rains from Tropical Storm Hilary, in Rancho Mirage, Calif., on Monday. David Swanson/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

A worker from the Coachella Valley Water Department surveys debris flowing across a road following heavy rains from Tropical Storm Hilary, in Rancho Mirage, Calif., on Monday.

Hilary, the first tropical storm to hit Southern California in over 80 years, began to dissipate on Monday after walloping the region with record-breaking rainfall.

The storm is moving on to Nevada with less vigor after leaving millions of California residents under flood risk warnings, causing thousands of homes and businesses to lose power and shutting down major school districts.

The storm dropped as much as 7 inches of rainwater in some mountain regions and up to 4 inches in lower-lying areas as it moved from northern Baja California in Mexico into the United States, drenching California along the coast, in the mountains and in the Coachella Valley, home to the desert city of Palm Springs.

The National Weather Service Los Angeles said at 3 a.m. local time that the storm had broken "virtually all rainfall daily records." A record rainfall of 2.48 inches was set in downtown Los Angeles, breaking the previous record of 0.03 set in 1906.

Rains slow as Hilary moves north and leaves Southern California underwater

Early Monday, officials reclassified the storm as a post-tropical cyclone and forecast it would travel north through Nevada, posing more flood risks. But as of midday Monday, the damage appeared to be less than originally feared.

One storm-related death was reported in Mexico

"It seems like the public largely heard the message to prepare ahead of time and stay home, which helped a lot," LAist reporter Erin Stone told Morning Edition on Monday. "So that old adage 'better safe than sorry' seems to have been the wisdom of the weekend."

But emergency responders did have to rescue and evacuate dozens of people, including from a mobile home park in the Coachella Valley and a homeless encampment along the San Diego River.

The Picture Show

Photos: see flooding, mudslides tropical storm hilary brings to southern calif..

An estimated 75,000 LA County residents don't have access to a permanent home or shelter, and advocates say they remain at an exponentially higher risk of being injured or killed by floodwaters, falling debris and hypothermia.

While California officials hadn't reported any fatalities as of Monday morning, Mexican authorities have linked one death to the storm.

The mayor of Santa Rosalía said one person died after a family's vehicle was swept away Saturday night, The New York Times reports .

Storm damage caused some cities to lose 911 access and led to school closures

A large eucalyptus tree branch rests on cars after falling overnight as Tropical Storm Hilary moved through Sun Valley, Calif., overnight. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images hide caption

A large eucalyptus tree branch rests on cars after falling overnight as Tropical Storm Hilary moved through Sun Valley, Calif., overnight.

Three California cities — Cathedral City, Indio and Palm Springs — all reported downed 911 lines on Sunday evening due to damage from the storm.

In Palm Springs, a news release urged residents to call nonemergency lines or text the 911 number to reach the nearest fire or police station. The city declared a local emergency on Sunday after flooding washed out roads and closed the area's major freeway, the I-10, in both directions.

A nearby hospital, Eisenhower Health in Rancho Mirage, Calif., saw its ambulance bay flooded and was running on a single backup generator.

Tropical Storm Hilary unleashes heavy rains and flooding on Southern California

Concerns for transportation hazards amid high wind speeds led the Los Angeles Unified School District, the country's second largest, to close all campuses and cancel after-school programs for the day.

Districts in San Diego , Pasadena and Coachella Valley were also closed as of Monday, collectively impacting over half a million students — including some who were anticipating their first day back after summer vacation .

A 5.1 magnitude earthquake shook Southern California as rain fell

According to poweroutage.us , over 47,100 homes and businesses were without power as of Monday midday.

But in a sign of the state's colliding natural disasters, over 12,000 of those outages were coming from Del Norte County in the northwest corner of the state, an area where the storm's impact was minimal. The power lines had been shut off for a much more familiar reason: to minimize the impact of an approaching wildfire , local news outlets reported.

What was left of Hilary brought heavy rain to parts of Southern California

In a similar way, just as the usual summer storm was making landfall, Southern California experienced a highly familiar phenomenon: a magnitude 5.1 earthquake struck the area. The term "hurriquake" took off on social media.

The earthquake's epicenter was registered along the Sisar fault in Ojai, which is located between Santa Barbara and Ventura, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The Ventura County Sheriff 's Office and Los Angeles Fire Department both reported no immediate damage or injuries.

Experts say we should expect more tropical storms this season

It's not just Hilary: Three tropical storms are churning over the Atlantic Ocean at the moment, with a fourth looking possible in the Gulf of Mexico amid a spate of thunderstorms.

Tropical Storm Franklin, currently in the Caribbean Sea, is expected to bring strong winds and heavy rainfall to Puerto Rico throughout the middle of the week. Two other storms — Emily and Gert — are moving through the open Atlantic and don't appear poised to make landfall.

We still haven't reached the peak of what's expected to be an above-average hurricane season. In a midseason forecast, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicted 14 to 21 named storms and six to 11 hurricanes, both predictions up substantially from the original season forecast released in May.

Tropical Storm Emily takes shape in the Atlantic, as storm activity starts to warm up

Hurricanes are more likely to be larger and more powerful when they form over hotter ocean water , and the ocean is a lot warmer than usual this summer.

Forty percent of the world's oceans are experiencing heat waves right now, according to federal researchers, in part due to a natural climate pattern called El Nino and human-caused climate change.

Part of the ocean that Hurricane Hilary formed over is around Baja California, Mexico, in the Pacific. Temperature anomalies there are part of what's been fueling this storm, says UCLA climate scientist Daniel Swain.

"The ocean temperatures off the coast of Baja California are much warmer than usual right now," Swain says. "As much as 3 to 6 Fahrenheit — that's a pretty significant increment of additional hurricane fuel."

NPR's Peter Granitz and Julia Simon contributed reporting.

This reporting originally appeared in our live blog. Revisit how the news unfolded.

• Tropical Storm Hilary
• southern california
• California flooding

Hurricane Hilary: State of emergency declared in California as millions brace for life-threatening flooding

The storm underwent rapid intensification in the pacific ocean, strengthening from a tropical storm to a large category 4 hurricane in less than 48 hours. now, a weakening trend has started with landfall expected on the mexican coast within the next 24 hours, according to the nhc..

Hurricane Hilary continuing to weaken off the coast of Mexico

Even though Hurricane Hilary is weakening off the coast of Mexico, life-threatening flooding is expected to develop on Sunday in California and the Desert Southwest.

As of Sunday at 7:00 A.M. ET, Hurricane Hilary is a Category 1 Hurricane closing in on California and the Southwestern U.S. Continuous coverage has moved here.

Hurricane Hilary has prompted historic weather alerts in California as millions across the Southwest begin to see initial impacts from the storm, with the worst to come over the next 48 hours, as the cyclone unleashes catastrophic, life-threatening flooding. 

By Sunday afternoon, the center of Hilary is expected to move over Southern California after it nears the west-central coast of the Baja California peninsula, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC). The hurricane weakened to a Category 1 cyclone and is expected to be a tropical storm when it reaches California. 

California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a State of Emergency for Southern California ahead of the storm's worst impacts. 

More than 42 million people are under the first-ever Tropical Storm Warning that has been issued in Southern California . It covers areas along the coast from Los Angeles to the U.S.-Mexico border, including San Diego. It also extends inland to places such as Victorville, San Bernardino, Palm Springs and Mount Laguna. 

Parts of the Southwest were already being impacted Saturday by moisture from Hurricane Hilary, resulting in the issuance of Flash Flood Warnings and the closure of some roadways.

Watch: Lightning, thunder roar near Los Angeles as Hurricane Hilary approaches

Listen as lightning and thunder roll over Twentynine Palms, California, on Saturday morning Hurricane Hilary churns toward Southern California. 

Heavy rain has already caused problems Saturday. The California Department of Transportation closed Highway 98 in Ocotillo, near San Diego, due to flooding and debris on the road.

In Palm Springs, California, firefighters say they distributed 20,000 more sand bags to residents as preparations continue. Authorities said residents living along the flood channel there have been repeatedly cautioned about the imminent risk to their lives by police helicopters circling every 90 minutes Friday.

In anticipation of the heavy rainfall, the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Office issued evacuation notices for residents in Oak Glen, Forest Falls, Mountain Home Village, Angelus Oaks, and NE Yucaipa.

These areas are known to flood during heavy rainfall events and have been the recipients of debris flows and mudslides.

Additionally, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office has asked residents and visitors to leave Catalina Island ahead of rough seas and high winds.

Some sandbag locations ran low on supplies in San Diego, but CAL FIRE pledged to keep preparation efforts going as long as possible.

MAP ROOM: LIVE TRACKING OF HURRICANE HILARY

The Air Force Reserve "Hurricane Hunters," assigned to the 403rd Wing at Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi, departed Saturday morning to fly weather reconnaissance missions into Hurricane Hilary to collect weather data that improves NHC's forecasts.

"By flying into the storm, crews are able to locate the low-pressure center of the storm and collect data that assists with movement and intensity forecasts," said Lt. Col. Steve Burton, 53rd WRS mission commander for the weather deployment. "The data we collect can improve a forecast by anywhere from 15-25%."

The unit will continue to fly missions into the storm throughout the weekend and possibly into Monday, said Burton.

HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHER

Bryan Norcross: Latest on Hurricane Hilary's rare path toward US

As FOX Weather continues to track Hurricane Hilary movement towards the Southwest, hurricane specialist Bryan Norcross has the latest.

"A lot of folks who will be impacted by the storm may not have a lot of experience with tropical cyclones," FEMA Deputy Assistant Administrator Colt Hagmaier told FOX Weather.

Most deaths from hurricanes and tropical storms occur due to inland flooding , especially when people drive through flooded streets.

"So it's really important that people have a plan of how to get out if they need to, that they listen to their local officials, and they don't drive through standing water," Hagmaier said.

The State of California say it has pre-positioned swift water rescue teams and vehicles to respond where flooding could be the worst.

Filling sand bags in the California desert ahead of Hilary's arrival. (@Shermanscorner)

BELMONT SHORE, CA -  AUGUST 19, 2023 - Belmont Shore and Long Beach residents fill sandbags in preparation for Hurricane Hilary in the Claremont parking lot in Belmont Shore on  August 19, 2023. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

Preparation for the approaching Hurricane Hilary, residents of San Bernardino fill sandbags at Wildwood Park on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023, with a line forming as they await their turn. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda/MediaNews Group/The Press-Enterprise via Getty Images)

Customers buy plastic tarps from the nearly empty shelves of a Los Angeles store in preparation for rains from Hurricane Hilary in Los Angeles, California, on August 19, 2023. Hilary strengthened into a Category 4 hurricane on August 18, 2023 and was expected to further intensify before approaching Mexico's Baja California peninsula over the weekend, the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said. In the US, parts of southern California and southern Nevada could see heavy rain through early next week, the NHC said. (Photo by CHRIS DELMAS/AFP via Getty Images)

The California National Guard prepositioning resources in Southern California ahead of Hilary (The California National Guard)

LONG BEACH, CA -  AUGUST 19, 2023 - Members of the McMullen, Biegler and Northcut families arrive in Long Beach after having to evacuate from Catalina Island due to Hurricane Hilary on August 19, 2023. They've been on the island since Thursday. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

Where is Hurricane Hilary?

The center of Hurricane Hilary is currently located less than 385 miles from San Diego . The storm is moving toward the north-northwest at 21 mph, increasing speed since Saturday.

CALIFORNIA GETTING HIT BY TROPICAL SYSTEMS IS EXTREMELY RARE

Are there any weather alerts because of Hurricane Hilary?

A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for from near Los Angeles to the U.S.-Mexico border, including Catalina Island. According to the NHC, this is the first time the agency has issued a warning for this region.

Much of San Diego , Riverside, Orange, San Bernardino, Los Angeles and Ventura counties are included in the warning. The inland alerts cover cities such as Riverside, Palm Springs , San Bernardino, Victorville, Pine Valley, and Santa Clarita.

WHEN WAS LAST TIME CALIFORNIA WAS HIT BY HURRICANE?

A Tropical Storm Warning is issued when tropical-storm-force winds (sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph) are expected within the alerted area within 36 hours.

Hilary has also prompted the Mexican government to issue a series of watches and warnings for the entire Baja California Peninsula and parts of mainland Mexico.

A Hurricane Warning is issued when hurricane-force winds (sustained winds of 74 mph or greater) are expected within the watch area, within 36 hours.

These winds may be accompanied by storm surge, coastal flooding and/or river flooding.

HOW TO PREPARE FOR HURRICANE SEASON

What is the forecast for Hurricane Hilary?

Maximum sustained winds are at 85 mph with higher gusts. Weakening began Saturday, but Hilary will still be a hurricane when it approaches the west coast of the Baja California peninsula Sunday morning, the NHC said. 

Hilary is expected to weaken to a tropical storm by midday Sunday, before it reaches southern California.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 45 miles from the center, and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 230 miles. A sustained wind of 44 mph and a gust to 63 mph were recently reported at the Cabo San Lucas Marina, the NHC reports.

What are the impacts of Hurricane Hilary?

Hurricane Hilary is expected to bring 3-6 inches of rainfall and up to 10 inches in isolated areas across parts of Baja California by Sunday night, warned the NHC. Catastrophic flash flooding may occur. Across portions of the western U.S., rainfall totals of 1-3 inches are expected, but forecast models show upwards of 5 inches is possible in some areas through Wednesday.

Heavy rainfall associated with Hilary may produce areas of flash flooding and result in landslides over portions of the Baja California Peninsula until late Sunday, the NHC said.

Rainfall impacts from Hilary within the southwestern U.S. are expected to peak this weekend into Monday. Flooding is expected with the potential for significant, life-threatening impacts.

NOAA's Weather Prediction Center has issued a rare High Risk for excessive rainfall in Palm Springs, the Coachella Valley and Las Vegas , Nevada. This is the first time such a risk has been given for the low desert regions of Southern California to the east of the mountain ranges.

The threat of hurricane-force wind impacts is increasing along the west-central coast of the Baja California Peninsula, where a Hurricane Watch is in effect. Tropical storm conditions are expected to begin across the southern portion of the Baja California Peninsula later Friday and then spread north through the weekend.

HURRICANE HILARY WILL IMPACT SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA'S SUPPLY CHAIN, EXPERT SAYS

The threat of significant wind impacts continues to increase for the northern portions of the Baja California Peninsula and the southwestern U.S., especially in areas of mountainous terrain. 

Large swells from Hilary will spread north along southwestern Mexico and the Baja California Peninsula. These swells will reach the Gulf of California and northern portions of the Baja California peninsula later this weekend.

Airlines issue travel waivers for passengers flying to Mexico, California

Several U.S. airlines have announced travel waivers for passengers flying either to Mexico or California.

Jet Blue, American, Alaska, Delta and United are encouraging passengers to check their itinerary for changes before flying to the region.

(FOX Weather)

United Airlines has expanded travel waivers for cities throughout the Golden State which included: Bakersfield (BFL), Burbank (BUR), Los Angeles (LAX), Ontario (ONT) Palm Springs, (PSP), San Diego (SAN), Santa Barbara (SBA), San Luis Obispo (SBP) and, Orange County (SNA).

Sporting events, space launch impacted by Hilary's threats

Major League Baseball adjusted game times in LA and San Diego to avoid Sunday matches. The National Football League is monitoring weather for a preseason game between New Orleans Saints and LA Chargers at SoFi Stadium .

SpaceX postponed the launch of a Falcon 9 rocket with Starlink satellites due to the hurricane's proximity to the water off Southern California. The event was expected to take place on Friday morning, but the private space company said it would attempt another launch next week if weather conditions improved. 

Hurricane Hilary barrels toward California

Coverage on this live blog has ended. Please  click here  for the latest updates.

Tropical storm warnings extended into Southern California Friday night as Hurricane Hilary, which has been bringing winds and rain to Mexico, approaches the United States.

It’s expected to weaken and become a tropical storm by the time it reaches Southern California, which is forecast to occur by Sunday night.

The storm will bring high winds, up to around 50 mph, but rain and flooding are chief concerns, according to the forecasters.

Officials in Los Angeles, San Diego and other places urged people to take the storm seriously, and to be prepared for flooding and power outages.

“This is real,” Chris Heiser, executive director for the San Diego Office of Emergency Services, said at a news conference.

“This is not like the other storms we’ve experienced. It’s a huge footprint, it goes all the way from the desert out into the ocean,” he said.

Las Vegas and other parts of Nevada also face possible floods, and the governor activated 100 members of the National Guard to assist impacted areas.

What to know about the Category 4 storm

• Hurricane Hilary strengthened to a Category 4 storm early Friday but is expected to weaken before reaching California.
• The National Weather Service warned the system was expected to bring "significant impacts" to the Southwest into early next week.
• The National Hurricane Center issued a tropical storm watch for parts of Southern California, a first for that part of the United States. Watches were later upgraded to a warning.
• If the system makes landfall in California as a tropical storm, it will be a rarity. The last time this happened in the past century was in Long Beach in 1939.

Navy ships to leave San Diego bases in advance of Hilary

Bill Feather

Naval ships and submarines based in the San Diego area will head to sea until the storm passes, the Navy announced tonight.

The commander of the U.S. 3rd Fleet set “Sortie Condition Alpha” today and San Diego-based ships will get underway tomorrow, the Navy said in a statement.

“In order to ensure the safety of our Sailors and ships, we are taking all necessary measures to mitigate potential damage to infrastructure and Third Fleet vessels caused by the storm,” said Vice Adm. Michael Boyle, commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet. “Safety remains our top priority, and putting all capable ships to sea makes it easier for us to manage the situation ashore,” he added.

Ships and submarines from Naval Base San Diego, Naval Base Coronado and Naval Base Point Loma will leave for the sea, the Navy said. Ships that stay will take precautions to avoid damage, it said.

SpaceX pushes back launch of satellite-carrying rocket

The Associated Press

SpaceX delayed the launch of a satellite-carrying rocket from a base on California’s central coast until at least Monday. The company said conditions in the Pacific could make it difficult for a ship to recover the rocket booster.

The once-unthinkable could be happening — how?

Southern california gets tropical storm warning.

Phil Helsel

A tropical storm watch for Southern California was changed tonight to a tropical storm warning, the National Hurricane Center said in a 11 p.m. ET (8 p . m . PT) advisory .

The tropical storm warning now extends from the California-Mexico border to Point Mugu, which is close to Oxnard on the Pacific Coast, and including Catalina Island, the agency said.

Hurricane Hilary is forecast to weaken to a tropical storm by the time it reaches Southern California, which the hurricane center said was forecast to occur by Sunday night.

But heavy rain and possible flooding are a risk for California and other parts of the U.S. Southwest.

Beyond California: Las Vegas warning of possible floods

While officials in California have been urging people to take Hilary seriously, Las Vegas and other parts of the Southwest also face possible floods.

A likely scenario in Las Vegas is up to 2 1/2 inches of rain through Monday, according to the National Weather Service , but another scenario estimates 3 inches or more.

Las Vegas is under a flood watch from 11 a.m. tomorrow through 5 p.m. Monday, according to the weather service.

It and other parts of Nevada were considered to have a “moderate” flood risk from the storm, according to the National Hurricane Center. Las Vegas’ city government opened a sandbag location.

Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo said today he was activating 100 National Guard members in advance of the storm making landfall.

The troops will support areas that are impacted by the storm, his office said.

In Arizona, the state Department of Public Safety also warned drivers of rain and urged caution.

‘It’s a waiting game’ as Hilary moves towards California

The expected impacts from the storm in Southern California were trending a little heavier when it comes to rainfall, the National Weather Service said today.

“Now it’s a waiting game watching it move northwards,” Alex Tardy, senior meteorologist at the weather service in San Diego, said in a video briefing .

The coasts and valleys could see 2 1/2 inches of rain, but at rates of 1/4 to 3/4 of an inch per hour, according to the agency, and the Inland Empire could see 4 inches.

Some mountains could see up to 10 inches of rain, the weather service said. Lower deserts could get up to 7 inches of rain.

Currently a hurricane, it is expected to weaken to a tropical storm before it reaches California. It is expected to reach Southern California by Sunday night, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Not only amount of rain, but speed poses risk in U.S.

When Hilary reaches Southern California, it will bring estimated maximum winds of 50 mph, a National Hurricane Center official said.

But it’s the rain, and the rate of rain that poses the most risk, National Hurricane Center Deputy Director Jamie Rhome said today.

Some areas will see 2 to 4 inches, others 4 to 6, and some parts of Southern California even showed possibly 10 inches of rain.

“These rainfall amounts are not typical of this area,” Rhome said video briefing . “Not only that, it’s going to come down much faster than what this area is used to seeing.”

Los Angeles, San Diego and Las Vegas were all under a “moderate” risk of floods, and areas like Palm Springs, California, were considered to be at high risk, he said.

Mexico gets ready for Hilary

Parts of mainland Mexico were prepped for Hilary, with 18,000 soldiers on alert.

On Friday evening, the hurricane was centered about 310 miles south-southwest of Cabo San Lucas, near the southern tip of the Baja peninsula. It was moving northwest at 12 mph and expected to turn more toward the north.

Some Cabo San Lucas schools were being prepared as temporary shelters, said Flora Aguilar, a city official.

In La Paz, the picturesque capital of Baja California Sur state on the Sea of Cortez, police patrolled closed beaches to keep swimmers out of the whipped-up surf. Schools were shut down in five municipalities.

‘Potentially unprecedented,’ but mayor says L.A. is prepared

The incoming storm “is potentially an unprecedented extreme weather event” for Los Angeles and the region, but Mayor Karen Bass said that the city is prepared.

“We’re not waiting for the storm to hit,” Bass said at a news conference.

There could be flash flooding across the Los Angeles area, according to the National Weather Service, and there could be tropical-storm force winds.

Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley said that over 3,500 firefighters are “standing ready” and that it has search and rescue teams that have responded to hurricanes elsewhere in the country.

Los Angeles County could get 2 to 4 inches of rain, and up to 7 inches in parts of the San Gabriel Mountains and foothills, Carol Parks, general manager of the city’s Emergency Management Department, said.

With storm getting closer, rainfall worries come into focus

Bill Karins

With 48 to 60 hours until this event, our high-resolution computer models are showing the areas of greatest concern for rainfall. 

This is the 4KM American NAM model that comes out every six hours.

Notice the thin yellow line traveling from the Northern Baja just east of San Diego and Los Angles. This is the spine of very tall mountains known as the Peninsular Range. This is where 6 to 10 inches of rain is expected to fall in a short amount of time.

If there is catastrophic flooding from Hilary, it will happen near or to the east of this yellow strip.

Notice much lighter amounts, 1 to 3 inches, closer to the densely populated coastal region. This is still enough for minor flash flooding, debris flows or landslides — but does not carry the same level of concern we have for the high peaks and their east-facing slopes.

MLB announces doubleheaders for teams in Hilary's path

Baseball teams are making adjustments to fit in their weekend games ahead of Hurricane Hilary.

Several games that had been scheduled for Sunday have been moved up a day, and will become the earlier games of Saturday split doubleheaders.

The league made the following changes:

• The San Diego Padres’ Sunday home game vs. the Arizona Diamondbacks has been rescheduled for a split doubleheader with starts of 12:10 p.m. PT and 5:40 p.m. PT Saturday.
• The Los Angeles Angels’ Sunday home game vs. the Tampa Bay Rays has been rescheduled for a split doubleheader with starts of 1:07 p.m. PT and 6:07 p.m. PT on Saturday.
• The Los Angeles Dodgers’ Sunday home game vs. the Miami Marlins has been rescheduled for a split doubleheader with starts of 12 p.m. PT and 6:10 p.m. PT Saturday.

Outer bands of Hilary going onshore in Mexico's Baja California

Hurricane Hilary’s outer bands are starting to enter southern parts of Baja California in Mexico, the National Hurricane Center said .

In a 5 p.m. PT update, the center said that Hilary, a Category 4 storm with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph, is likely to cause life-threatening flooding.

The hurricane’s center is expected to move close to the west coast of Baja California over the weekend, according to the Hurricane Center.

But the storm’s effects stretch far from the center. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 50 miles, and tropical storm-force winds extend up to 275 miles, the weather agency said.

Map: Some areas in the storm's path are below sea level

Jiachuan Wu

Nigel Chiwaya

Several cities in southeastern California that are in the current path of of the storm, including Coachella City, are below sea level. The parts of the region are currently forecasted to receive up to five inches of rain during the next five days.

‘This is real’: San Diego warns to take storm seriously

Officials in San Diego today warned residents to be prepared to shelter in place and take other measures.

“This is real,” Chris Heiser, executive director for the Office of Emergency Services, said at a news conference.

Hurricane Hilary is a Category 4 storm but is expected to weaken and become a tropical storm before reaching California, according to the National Hurricane Center.

There could be 12 inches of rain in the mountains in a short period of time, Heiser said.

“Our city is downstream. It’s not if you are going to see flooding,” he said, adding people should anticipate possible power outages.

Tropical storm watch now covers all of Los Angeles County

The National Weather Service today expanded a tropical storm watch to include all of Los Angeles County, as well as other areas.

Tropical storm watches had previously been issued for some parts of the region, but the new one includes the entire county, which has a population of around 10 million people.

A watch means that tropical storm conditions, which include sustained winds of 39 mph to 73 mph, are possible.

Padres plan doubleheader to get game in before Hilary

Southern california reaching out to homeless ahead of storm.

Using helicopters, bullhorns and people on the ground, officials in Los Angeles County will be reaching out to the homeless in riverbeds and elsewhere to warn about the impending storm, authorities said today.

Last night, aircraft with the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department looked for encampments and will continue to do so today, Sheriff Robert Luna said at a news conference. Rescue aircraft and swift-water rescue teams will also be on alert, he said.

“We’re trying to move them to safer locations,” Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Janice Hahn said.

The Los Angeles River is channelized and swells with water during heavy rains.

The most recent count found an estimated 75,520 people in Los Angeles County experience homelessness on any given night. Of those, around 55,155 were unsheltered .

L.A. County officials urge people to stay off roads during storm's peak

Denise Chow

Los Angeles County officials urged people to exercise caution over the weekend and, if possible, stay off roads Sunday and Monday, when rainfall from the storm is expected to reach its peak.

In a news conference this afternoon, representatives from the Office of Emergency Management and the Sheriff’s Department shared preparations as Hurricane Hilary approaches.

Sheriff Robert Luna said Hilary is expected to bring “significant rain, possible flash flooding, severe winds, storm surge, dangerous surf, marine conditions, and even possibly tornadoes.” He urged residents to make preparations, have an emergency plan and check in on friends and family in high-risk areas.

Emergency preparedness resources can be found at https://ready.lacounty.gov . Officials also urged residents to sign up for emergency alerts via text, phone or email at https://ready.lacounty.gov/alerts/ .

Kevin McGowan, director of the Office of Emergency Management, outlined steps that residents can take to stay safe:

• Create an evacuation plan.
• Build an emergency supply kit, including battery backups for essential medical equipment.
• Stay out of the ocean and floodwaters, and always avoid moving water.
• Place sand bags in areas prone to flooding around homes and apartments.
• Never approach downed power lines.
• Boat operators should evaluate the predicted storm forecast and its impact on local marinas and harbors.

Tijuana keeping a close eye on the storm

The Mexican government said a weakened Hilary might skim a sparsely populated area on the western edge of the Baja peninsula early Sunday, and then perhaps hit between the Pacific coast cities of Ensenada, and Playas de Rosarito, a beach community on the edge of Tijuana.

Tijuana Mayor Montserrat Caballero Ramirez said the city was tracking the storm closely, clearing out storm drains.

The sprawling border metropolis of 1.9 million is particularly at risk of landslides and flooding, in part because of its hilly terrain. Shacks are perched on cliffs with little vegetation to hold the land in place. In addition, scores of people have been living under tarps on the streets and in canals in flood zones, including migrants who arrive daily from various parts of the world.

The city was in the process Friday of opening four shelters in high-risk zones and was prepared to increase that if needed, once the storm hits, Caballero Ramirez said. City workers also cleared 34 storm drains of trash and debris, and were going to neighborhoods to warn residents.

“We are a vulnerable city being on one of the most visited borders in the world and because of our landscape,” she said. “We don’t know the magnitude yet of what can happen but that’s why we are coordinating with the military and others so we can move immediately with our emergency response protocols if needed.”

Mexico extended its hurricane watches and warnings northward for parts of Baja California peninsula, and also issued a tropical storm watch for parts of mainland Mexico. Some 18,000 soldiers were put on alert.

Palm Springs music festival scheduled to take place 'rain or shine,' organizers say

Lindsay Good

Mirna Alsharif

The final weekend of Splash House 2023 will take place as scheduled in Palm Springs, "rain or shine," according to the organizers.

They said they're monitoring the storm moving into the area and are looking forward to welcoming guests for the event, which runs Aug. 18-20.

"We know a little moisture doesn't deter you — we've seen you getting down in the pools year after year — and we salute your spirit," the organizers wrote on Instagram . "It's that energy that keeps us going and what already has us thinking through back up plans to give you the party you deserve, just in case."

Map: Hurricanes and tropical storms are rare in California

Hurricane hilary could bring record rainfall to parts of the southwest.

More than a year’s worth of rain could drench parts of Southern California and the Southwest this weekend, as Hurricane Hilary churns in the eastern Pacific Ocean.

Heavy rainfall across the southwestern United States is expected to peak on Sunday and Monday, but could persist through the middle of next week, according to the National Hurricane Center.

“Rare and dangerous flooding will be possible,” the center  said Friday in a public advisory , adding that other parts of the West could see rainfall totals of 1 to 3 inches.

Hurricane Hilary , currently a Category 4 storm, is expected to weaken over the weekend as it passes over cooler ocean waters off the California coast, but it could make a rare landfall in Southern California as a tropical storm — the first in the region since 1939. But no matter where Hilary hits land, experts say people across the Baja California peninsula, the Southwestern U.S. and parts of Mexico should prepare for major rainfall and flooding.

Read the  full story here .

Biden says the White House is monitoring Hurricane Hilary

Megan Lebowitz

President Joe Biden said Friday that the White House is "closely monitoring" Hurricane Hilary, noting that FEMA has pre-positioned personnel and supplies in the area.

"I urge everyone, everyone in the path of the storm, to take precautions and listen to the guidance from state and local officials," he said.

The remarks came at the beginning of a joint press conference at a Camp David summit with the leaders of Japan and South Korea.

Hurricane hunter aircraft approaches Hilary

Azusa residents grab sandbags as they prepare for the storm.

Colin Sheeley

Residents in Azusa, a city in the San Gabriel Valley region of Los Angeles County, were grabbing sandbags on Friday in preparation for the storm this weekend.

"Rain is coming, you know," Jose Pasco told NBC Los Angeles. "We want to put something along our patio so the water won't go inside the house."

"I hope it's not that hard," Pasco said about the incoming storm.

A resident named Ron said he's never heard of a storm of this caliber hitting the area.

"I've lived here all my life and I've never seen it," Ron said.

It's been nearly 84 years since a tropical storm hit California

News of Hurricane Hilary barreling toward Southern California has drawn reminders of "El Cordonazo," a tropical storm that hit the state nearly 84 years ago.

"El Cordonazo," which made landfall in Long Beach in September 1939, is the last tropical storm recorded in California.

Also known as “The Lash of St. Francis,” the storm "lost hurricane status shortly before moving onshore at San Pedro" and caused the greatest September rainfall ever in the area, the National Weather Service said in a document recounting the history of significant weather events in SoCal.

Rainfall in Los Angeles was recorded at 5.4 inches in 24 hours, per the agency's data. Eastern Coachella Valley was under 2 feet of water.

A total of 45 people died in the floods and 48 more died at sea.

"Californians were generally unprepared and were alerted to their vulnerability to tropical storms," the agency said. "In response, the weather bureau established a forecast office for southern California, which began operations in February of 1940."

Authorities begin preparations for Hilary

Hilary expected to kick up waves along popular surf spots, but warnings abound.

Nidhi Sharma

As it moves toward Southern California, Hurricane Hilary could bring impressive surf to beaches along the coast.

According to the Surfer Forecast , a website that tracks surf conditions, on Sunday morning surfers will be able to catch waves up to 8 feet at Long Beach and, as the day progresses, 6-foot waves will swell from Malibu beaches up to Ventura.

Surfer Magazine writes that these waves could make for “great surfing if you can handle the size,” but advises surfers to stay cautious. Popular surfing forecaster WaveCast warned those attempting the surf zone to be on the lookout for rip currents, lightning, rain and wind effects.

Hurricanes create waves that can be ideal for surfers looking to ride the best waves. Last year, East Coast surfers braved rough waters from Hurricane Ian to get to sizable waves in places like the Outer Banks and even in Florida , just days before the storm made landfall.

Though surfing during a hurricane can be fun, it can also be deadly. In 2011, two surfers were killed in rough waves in north Florida during Hurricane Irene.

Airlines offer flexible travel policies to impacted customers

As airlines continue to monitor Hurricane Hilary, some are offering flexible travel options to those whose flights may be impacted by the storm.

United Airlines is allowing customers flying in and out of San José del Cabo International Airport (SJD), at the southern tip of Baja, to reschedule their trips at no cost.

Southwest Airlines is offering the same option so long as the new flight is booked within 14 days of the original date of travel.

Alaska Airlines is offering similar options and is including those flying in and out of Loreto International Airport, in Mexico, as well as SJD through Aug. 25, according to their website .

A heat dome and a hurricane

A giant heat dome over the middle of the country is partly to blame for Hilary’s unusual path toward Southern California, according to hurricane experts.

The heat dome, created by a high-pressure system trapped in place, is expected to bring stiflingly hot temperatures to large portions of the central and southeastern United States through the weekend. But this high-pressure system and its associated winds are also influencing Hurricane Hilary’s movements , essentially pulling the storm toward California.

“It’s moving further east than it would normally go as it travels north,” said Hugh Willoughby, a research professor in the Department of Earth & Environment at Florida International University.

Tropical cyclones that develop in the eastern Pacific Ocean can wander north off the coast of California, but they typically get pushed west, he added. This time, however, Hilary is turning northwest and barreling up the coast.

“Normally they would go by and out to sea,” Willoughby said, “but this is further east than the normal north-going path, which is why we’re seeing it in California.”

Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center said the storm is expected to approach the central Baja California peninsula on Saturday before moving inland over Southern California Sunday night.

NHC issues first tropical storm watch for parts of Southern California

A tropical storm watch is now in effect from the California-Mexico border to the county lines between Orange and Los Angeles counties, as well as for Catalina Island, the National Hurricane Center announced this morning.

This is the first time the NHC has issued a tropical storm watch for this region of the country.

This kind of alert is typically used to warn that tropical storm conditions are possible in the designated watch area within 48 hours.

Why California's mountains are at risk of heavy rainfall

The topography of Southern California is going to dictate who is most at risk for destructive flash flooding.

The Santa Rosa mountain range east of San Diego runs north-south for 30 miles with a maximum height of over 8,698 feet at Toro Peak. Those areas could see the brunt of the rainfall thanks to orographic lift, which is when air is pushed by the wind up a mountain. When that happens, the air cools and condenses, often resulting in heavy rainfall. 

In this case, the lift will be maximized over a large area, and rainfall rates are expected to reach 3 inches per hour at the peak of the storm Sunday night. 

This is why the National Weather Service issued a rare Day 3 High Risk of flash flooding that includes Cleveland National Forest and a good part of the Sunrise Highway. The heaviest runoff and mud/debris flows will be on the eastern slopes of the Santa Rosa Mountains. 

If the state record of 14 inches from a tropical system is to broken by Hilary, it will happen there. 

'Nearly impossible' to predict where Hilary will make landfall

As Hurricane Hilary charges toward the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula, forecasters say it’s still “nearly impossible” to predict where the storm could collide with the coastline.

The hurricane's current forecasted path shows it passing along the coast of Baja, weakening as it moves north to Southern California, according to the National Hurricane Center. Hilary could become the first tropical storm to make landfall in Southern California in 84 years, since September 1939. But where exactly landfall will occur is still up in the air.

Regardless of where the storm hits, forecasters said people across the Baja California Peninsula and the southwestern United States should be prepared for heavy rainfall, flash flooding and other significant impacts.

“Hilary’s exact landfall probably won’t make much difference when it comes to the expected hazards and impacts in the region,” NHC officials said Friday in a forecast discussion.

National Weather Service says some areas could see more than 10 inches of rain

Hilary forecast to test rainfall records.

Kathryn Prociv

Daily, monthly and state rainfall records are all in jeopardy as Hilary heads toward California.

Some places, like Death Valley and Palm Springs, could see up to three years' worth of rain in the span of just a few days. Flash flooding is possible.

While rain will be the greatest risk, high winds are also forecast. There is more uncertainty associated with which areas might experience the strongest winds, which is highly dependent on the track of the storm.

Wind gusts of 30-50 mph will be possible across Southern California, including across Los Angeles and Ventura counties.

Hilary intensified rapidly but is expected to weaken

Hilary has rapidly intensified in just 24 hours from a 70 mph tropical storm to a powerful 145mph Category 4 hurricane. 

That’s more than double the definition for rapid intensification, which is 35mph in 24 hours.

On the current forecast track, Hilary is expected to begin weakening tomorrow as it encounters cooler water temperatures, and is forecast to be a tropical storm by Sunday as it approaches the U.S.

Hilary remains a 'large and powerful' hurricane

Chantal Da Silva

Hurricane Hilary remained a "large and powerful" Category 4 hurricane as of early Friday morning, the National Hurricane Center said in its latest update.

Hilary was about 100 miles south of Socorro Island in Mexico and about 400 miles south of Cabo San Lucas, a resort city on the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula, the hurricane center said in its 5 a.m. PT (8 a.m. ET) advisory.

The hurricane had maximum sustained winds of 145 mph as it barreled toward the Southwest United States.

Joshua Tree National Park to close areas vulnerable to flooding

Joshua Tree National Park managers will shut down park areas that are vulnerable to extreme flooding in anticipation of Hilary later today.

The closures are expected to go into effect this evening, park officials said.

"Joshua Tree National Park and surrounding communities could experience heavy rainfall and potential heavy flooding," a statement said. The public was advised against driving down Geology Tour Road.

Park officials warned members of the public to "reconsider outdoor activities for this weekend, be prepared to turn around if you experience moving water on roadways and be alert for lightning."

Flash flood threat growing, weather service in San Diego says

Rainfall totals of 3 to 6 inches forecast across parts of u.s..

Rainfall totals of 3 to 6 inches and isolated amounts of up to 10 inches are forecast for parts of southern California and southern Nevada this weekend and into early next week, the National Weather Service said.

The heavy rains expected "would lead to significant impacts," the weather service said in a tweet.

Heavy rainfall, flash flooding possible across parts of Southwest

"Monsoonal moisture" along with tropical moisture connected with Hurricane Hilary are expected to increase thunderstorm coverage across parts of the Southwest today, with the possibility of heavy rainfall and flash flooding, forecasters said.

As Hilary continues to move north in the eastern Pacific near Baja California, the threat of heavy rainfall and flash flooding was likely to increase on Saturday, especially for parts of Southern California, western Arizona, and southern Nevada, the National Weather Service said in an early Friday update.

With an increase in cloud cover, "temperatures will return to more seasonal values today before dropping below normal across much of Southern California, western Arizona, and the Great Basin over the weekend," the weather service said.

Will Hilary make history?

If Hurricane Hilary makes landfall on California as a tropical storm, it will be the first one in 84 years.

In a summer that has already produced extreme and anomalous weather, Hurricane Hilary will add to the list. It’s unusual in the first place that the first tropical system to threaten the U.S. is on the West Coast, rather than along the East Coast or the Gulf of Mexico.

The only time a tropical storm has made landfall in California the last 100 years was in Long Beach in 1939, according to the National Weather Service.

A storm has never been recorded to make landfall in California as a hurricane.

Follow the storm's path

Hurricane Hilary, which formed early Thursday, is heading up the eastern Pacific Ocean.

As of Thursday evening, the storm’s path was forecast to bring it across the Baja California peninsula into the southwestern U.S. over the weekend and into Monday.

As the storm barrels toward the southwest, follow our live tracker here:

Hurricane Hilary strengthens into Category 4 storm

Hurricane Hilary strengthened into a Category 4 storm as it barreled toward California, threatening to bring strong winds and heavy rains to the Southwestern U.S.

The system had reached maximum sustained winds of 140 miles per hour as of early Friday, according to the National Hurricane Center.

The system is expected to eventually weaken, but the National Weather Service warned that the storm was expected to bring “significant impacts” to the Southwestern states this weekend into early next week.

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Track the Latest Atmospheric River to Hit California

By William B. Davis ,  Madison Dong ,  Judson Jones and Bea Malsky

An atmospheric river continues to bring rain and wind to the Western United States.

Atmospheric rivers are essentially moisture streams in the sky and are often visible from space as narrow bands stretching from the West Coast out across the Pacific.

Flow of atmospheric water vapor

As these long, thin storm systems move across the ocean and hit land, they often bring extensive amounts of precipitation in the form of rain and snow.

Five-day precipitation forecast

As the moisture moves inland, use the map below to track the amount of precipitation that has already fallen in specific cities, zip codes and other locations.

Seven-day observed precipitation

More rain falling on top of ground saturated by precipitation from recent storms could increase the risk of flooding. The map below shows recent flooding detected along streams and rivers.

Tidal and river flooding

As streams rise, they can cover roads and force the closure of highways. With extreme rains, the ground can become so saturated that it gives way in the form of mudslides. Below is a map of recent road closures because of flooding and mudslides.

Weather-related traffic issues in California

Flooded roads

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Evacuating Pets: When disaster strikes, household pets’ lives are among the most vulnerable. You can avoid the worst by planning ahead .

California granted federal disaster relief for historic February storms

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President Biden has approved California’s request for a major disaster declaration to support recovery efforts from a string of February storms that drenched much of the state with historic rainfall and mountain snow and resulted in numerous deaths, officials announced Sunday.

Nine California counties — Butte, Glenn, Los Angeles, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, Sutter and Ventura — will receive federal aid as a result of the declaration, which also includes funding for statewide hazard mitigation efforts, officials said.

“This declaration brings in more resources for local communities across the state recovering from the widespread impacts of these storms,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a statement thanking the Biden administration for its support.

At least 11 people died as a result of the storms, which caused widespread flooding, power outages, school closures and damage to critical infrastructure, Newsom wrote in his request for a disaster declaration.

In San Luis Obispo County, where two tornados touched down, the storms damaged eight steel firehouse bay doors and the roof and gutters of the Grover Beach Police Department, and high waves caused major structural damage to the Cayucos Pier, compromising its integrity, Newsom wrote.

In Santa Barbara County, high winds damaged homes in Goleta and tore off part of a windmill in Solvang, and rain overwhelmed concrete channels that divert water from residential areas, destroying 300 linear feet of them, Newsom wrote. Sediment from debris flows filled three debris basins to near capacity, threatening to flood an airport runway, and a section of channel bank of the Zanja de Cota Creek collapsed, sending trees and debris into the waterway on the Chumash Indian reservation, Newsom wrote.

In Ventura County, flooding damaged roads, bridges, levees and park facilities, inundating the Ventura Wastewater Facility and causing water to backflow into the system, Newsom wrote. Flooding also overwhelmed culverts and washed out a fish bypass basin that enables steelhead to journey along the Ventura River, while debris flows blocked roads and overwhelmed debris basins with sediment. The Ventura River flooded and altered its course, with the new path washing out a road and embankment and destroying an above-ground water distribution system, Newsom wrote.

Los Angeles County saw hundreds of debris flows, prompting evacuations. The Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant was inundated with stormwater, which caused an excess of pressure in a sewer line that sent sewage up from manhole covers, flooding portions of the facility and at one point causing the filtration system to shut down, Newsom wrote. The storm also damaged electrical equipment in one building, forcing the plant to borrow power to continue operations, he wrote.

In Santa Cruz County, high winds toppled a eucalyptus tree, severing a 10-inch steel aerial sewer main, and heavy surf damaged a municipal wharf in the city of Santa Cruz, collapsing a portion of its deck, Newsom wrote.

In Monterey County, heavy rain in burn scars sent silt and debris into catch basins and stormwater conveyance systems, overwhelming them and resulting in tens of thousands of cubic yards of material that had to be trucked long distance for disposal, Newsom wrote.

In Butte County, wind and rain downed trees, damaging roads and guardrails and at least one culvert. The worst of the damage took place in the burn scars of the Bear and Camp fires, which cover roughly 40% of the county, Newsom wrote. Glenn County’s airport was damaged by heavy rain, while Sutter County’s Yuba Fairgrounds were severely damaged when a 15-foot redwood tree fell on a restroom building.

More to Read

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March 23, 2024

New California storm triggers flash flood warning for western L.A. County

Feb. 19, 2024

9 people killed in California’s massive storm: Here’s how they died

Feb. 8, 2024

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