2023-08-20 07:00:00
Pacific Hurricane Hilary made landfall in northwestern Mexico on its path toward the US state of California. The tropical storm reached the coast of Baja California, the Mexican weather service announced on Sunday. The weather service predicted very heavy to heavy rain for the peninsula and the northeast of the country, as well as strong winds and high waves. According to the information, “Hilary” had reached sustained wind speeds of 130 kilometers per hour. The storm weakened from a category four hurricane (out of five levels) to a category one.
Still, he remained dangerous. According to media reports, “Hilary” has already claimed two lives. A man has died as a result of flooding along the Pacific coast of northwestern Mexico, Mexican newspaper El Universal reported. Accordingly, a delivery truck was washed away in the municipality of Navolato in the state of Sinaloa. The driver was found dead a few kilometers away. In the town of Mulegé in Baja California, another person died while trying to cross a river, according to information from the newspaper “Milenio”.
Hurricane “Hilary” approaches California: position and average surface wind speeds in kilometers per hour
“Hilary” is traveling faster than predicted
The US state of California, which borders Mexico to the north, also prepared for the arrival of the hurricane. As the US Hurricane Center announced, “Hilary” was moving faster than initially predicted. Four more people were rescued, reported the mayor of the city of Mulegé in Baja California, Edith Aguilar Villavicencio.
The authorities went on high alert. Ports were closed, flights were canceled, accommodations were prepared. Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency for large parts of Southern California. The US Weather Service had warned of “life-threatening and catastrophic flooding” in the southwestern United States.
Authorities are expecting power outages
Authorities in California asked some residents near the coast or higher elevations to leave their homes. Nature parks were closed and sporting events were postponed. Regional media reported on Saturday regarding torrents on the coast of California and thunderstorms. California Emergency Management Director Nancy Ward warned that Hilary might be one of the “most devastating storms” to hit the state in more than a decade. She pointed out that residents had to prepare for power outages.
Published/Updated: Hans-Christian Rößler Published/Updated: , Recommendations: 4 Published/Updated: Recommendations: 3
The head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Deanne Criswell, also called on people in the southwest of the country to prepare for the storm. This includes, for example, charging mobile phones so that they can receive emergency warnings from the authorities. She is also in contact with the local authorities so that she can ensure quick federal help in an emergency.
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