Hurricane Hilary Threatens Flooding Rain in California, Nevada and Arizona

AccuWeather meteorologists say Hurricane Hilary is anticipated to bring heavy rain, flash flooding and strong winds to parts of California, Nevada and Arizona.

The meteorologists issued the forecast in a media alert that was sent out Thursday afternoon.

“Hurricane Hilary is projected to approach the southwestern United States, increasing the likelihood of torrential rain and flash flooding from this weekend into the following week,” the alert states. “Hilary is forecast by AccuWeather’s hurricane experts to become a major (Category 3) hurricane and peak as a Category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale while spinning just off the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja peninsula this weekend.”

The storm is expected to lose wind intensity as it travels north over cooler waters, but it could maintain tropical storm strength until it nears southern California, according to AccuWeather.

The track and potential impacts of Hilary make for “an extraordinarily rare event – one that many people might only experience once or twice in a lifetime,” according to AccuWeather Director of Forecasting Operations Dan DePodwin.

AccuWeather meteorologists say Hilary’s moisture may lead to heavy rain and gusty winds in areas ranging from Southern California to Arizona. They don’t expect hurricane conditions in the San Diego and Los Angeles areas, but there will be “significant, potentially dangerous and damaging conditions from later this weekend into early next week over parts of South California.”

Rounds of heavy rain with localized flash flooding and damaging wind gusts are anticipated, and there is the likelihood of at least sporadic power outages and tree damage, especially over the mountains and through the canyons. Surf and seas are expected to build in advance of Hilary later this weekend.

AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jon Porter emphasized the biggest concern with the Hilary across the Southwestern United States is the risk for significant flash flooding in areas where persistent downpours occur.

Topics California Catastrophe Natural Disasters Flood Hurricane Arizona