Southern California gets first ever tropical storm watch as Hurricane Hilary approaches

Hilary expected to bring heavy rain and the risk of flash flooding from the Baja California peninsula all the way to Nevada

Southern California has been issued its first-ever tropical storm watch as “large and powerful” Hurricane Hilary takes aim at Mexico and the region over the next 48 hours.

The National Hurricane Center says that the watch is unprecedented for the region and Hilary is expected to bring heavy rain and the risk of flash flooding from the Baja California peninsula all the way north to Nevada.

As of Friday, the hurricane was located about 360 miles southwest of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, with maximum sustained winds of 145 mph.

“It is rare — indeed nearly unprecedented in the modern record — to have a tropical system like this move through Southern California,” Greg Postel of the Weather Channel told CBS News.

The last time a tropical storm hit California was 1939, before they were even given names and the state has been hit by sub-tropical storms in the years since. Forty-five people died in that storm, most from drowning.

Hurricane Hilary off the coast of Mexico 18 August 2023 (National Hurricane Center/NOAA)

The hurricane is expected to hit Baja Mexico over the weekend and weaken and arrive in Southern California as a tropical storm on Sunday evening.

“Right now, it’s looking like we’ll still have a tropical storm when it moves into Southern California, but it’s going to be weakening pretty quickly,” said meteorologist Brandt Maxwell, of the National Weather Service.

The region is expected to get pounded with heavy rain, the likes of which are never seen during the summer months. Los Angeles and San Deigo could see up to two inches, while other areas could get hit with as much as five inches.

Hurricane #Hilary Advisory 9: Hilary Remains a Powerful Category 4 Hurricane. Hurricane Warning Issued For Portions of Baja California And Tropical Storm Watch Issued For Extreme Southern California. https://t.co/Oy8uoeSibM

— NHC Eastern Pacific (@NHC_Pacific) August 18, 2023

“The most important thing will be the heavy rain, which will be widespread, and there’s a distinct risk of flash flooding,” added Maxwell.

The region could see high surf, strong winds, dangerous rip currents, and beach erosion. Los Angeles County officials are set to issue storm guidance later on Friday.