Los Angeles and Orange County are under a tropical storm watch for the first time in history, as Hurricane Hilary bears down on the region off the coast of Baja California.
In advance of the storm, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a State of Emergency for much of Southern California to support the Hilary response and recovery efforts as the state continues mobilizing and coordinating resources ahead of the storm’s forecasted impacts.
Heavy rainfall and high winds were expected to begin Saturday and last through Monday. At the governor’s direction, there were currently more than 7,500 boots on the ground deployed to help local communities protect Californians from the impacts of Hilary.
The governor also signed an emergency proclamation in San Diego while visiting with California National Guard troops. He met with first responders and local officials, including San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria. He was also in touch with federal officials, including the White House.
The Emergency Medical Services Authority has assets on standby, including California Medical Assistance Teams to augment local capacity, aid in evacuations and support medical needs in communities impacted by flooding. The EMSA was ready to assist with Ambulance Strike Teams as necessary to support local communities. The Flood Operations Center is activated and has prepositioned flood-fight materials should they be needed.
The California National Guard has strategically prepositioned more than 350 guardsmen and two dozen high-water vehicles. CAL FIRE has prepositioned nine Swift Water Rescue teams and Urban Search and Rescue teams along with 290 strategically prepositioned engines. Cal OES, through the California Fire and Rescue Mutual Aid System, has deployed a total of more than 700 local government firefighters and support staff, as well as 15 Swift Water Rescue teams, two Urban Search and Rescue companies and three Regional Urban Search and Rescue task forces.
Voluntary evacuations were in place in Silverado and Williams canyons, which compose part of the Bond Fire burn scar.
The city of Los Angeles will open four shelters Sunday at 8 a.m. in advance of Hilary. They include:
— Lanark Park: 21816 Lanark St., Canoga Park;
— Glassell Recreation Center: 3650 Verdugo Road, Los Angeles;
— Yosemite Recreation Center: 1840 Yosemite Drive, Los Angeles;
— South L.A. Activity Center: 7020 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles.
Hilary was at Category 2 strength Saturday afternoon and was expected to further weaken to a tropical storm by the time it reaches the Southland, but forecasters are still warning of heavy rain, wind and a high risk of flooding in parts of northern Los Angeles County.
The watch, which indicates that “tropical storm-force winds are possible somewhere within this area within the next 48 hours,” is the first ever issued in Southern California, according to the National Weather Service. A tropical storm has not made landfall in California since 1939.
The watch covers the entirety of Los Angeles County, plus Orange County coastal and inland areas and the Santa Ana Mountains and foothills.
The NWS noted that the hurricane will weaken as it moves north, but will still pack a punch, with heavy rain likely to prompt flash flooding in some mountain and foothill areas, along with powerful winds Sunday into Monday.
Forecasters warned that the storm could have major impacts, including:
— flooding that might prompt evacuation orders;
— power outages;
— heavy rain that could turn small streams, creeks, canals, arroyos and ditches into “dangerous rivers,” leading to potentially destructive runoff in mountain valleys that could raise the risk of rock slides, mudslides and debris flows; and
— flooding of streets and parking lots that will make driving conditions dangerous and potentially prompt road and bridge closures.
The Antelope Valley could see scattered thunderstorms as early as 3 p.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, with damaging winds, a brief downpour, lightning and small hail possible, according to the NWS.
A flash flood watch was issued for 10 a.m. Sunday until 10 a.m. Monday. The biggest threat is in the mountains and the Antelope Valley, where runoff and drainage into the deserts will likely cause major road flooding.
A flood watch will also be in effect from late Saturday night through Monday evening for Orange County coastal and inland areas, along with the Santa Ana mountains and foothills.
Wind gusts are generally expected to reach 45 to 50 mph at times in the northern parts of Los Angeles County.
NWS forecasts anticipate the bulk of the moisture arriving in the area between Sunday and Monday, bringing humid conditions with “widespread shower activity.”
With the amount of moisture in the storm system, there is a potential for a “tremendous amount of precipitation,” forecasters said, adding that “locally heavy rainfall seems to be a distinct possibility.”
About 2 to 4 inches of rain is expected over most areas, with localized amounts reaching as high as 6 inches
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department urged residents to “hold off on any hiking activities in our local mountains until the storm has passed,” as mountain trails could become flooded.
Coastal areas will also be dealing with high surf that could create some flooding concerns in beach communities. Forecasters said surf of 4 to 7 feet is possible at southeast- and south-facing beaches, along with strong rip currents — with Catalina Island “most vulnerable” to the strong swells.
Many beach cities were scrambling to prepare for the high surf. From Long Beach to Orange County, cities deployed bulldozers to build berms on beaches to protect coastal properties, and sandbags were being provided for residents to protect their properties.
With Catalina Island residents advised to leave the island as a precaution, the city of Long Beach announced plans to open a temporary shelter to support those needing a place to go. The emergency shelter will be located at Silverado Park, 1545 W. 31st St., and will provide necessities including food, water and beds, as well as basic medical services. Officials said it was currently set up to accommodate 75 individuals, and if additional shelter need is identified, the city will open other sites.
The Silverado Park site was expected to receive its first participants at midday Saturday.
Pasadena will open an emergency shelter at 9 a.m. Sunday at Villa Parke Community Center, 363 E Villa St.
Long Beach residents can pick up empty sandbags at fire stations at 2295 Elm St., 1199 Artesia Blvd., 2475 Adriatic Ave. and 5200 Eliot St.. Bags and sand are also available at the lifeguard station at 72nd Place and Ocean Boulevard.
The city advised residents along the oceanfront to be prepared for high tides and possible flooding. People planning to visit the beach were urged to visit interior beaches in Alamitos Bay to avoid the high surf in the ocean.
Huntington Beach officials urged residents to secure outdoor items such as furniture and umbrellas and be prepared for possible power outages by keeping cell phones and other devices charged.
Huntington Beach was operating a sandbag-fill station at the Corporate Yard at 17371 Gothard St.
Sandbags were also available at many Orange County Fire Authority stations throughout the area. A full list is available at ocfa.org.
Officials at LAX, Hollywood/Burbank Airport, Long Beach Airport and Orange County’s John Wayne Airport advised travelers to check with their airlines for possible flight delays or cancellations.
Los Angeles County officials urged residents to sign up for emergency alerts in advance of the storm at ready.lacounty.gov and to follow social media feeds at @ReadyLACounty.
Conditions are expected to improve by Tuesday and beyond, but “enough moisture will remain to possibly continue afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms across the interior portion of the area, especially the mountains and desert,” according to the NWS.