Date: August 19, 2023
As Hurricane Hillary, a Category 4 hurricane, makes its way toward the US. southwest, concerns are growing about the potential for historic flooding from heavy rainfall Storms developing at an incredibly rapid pace are poised to be rare over the region, and for Southern California floor -A tropical storm warning is in effect in parts of the country.
Meteorologists are predicting that Hurricane Hillary could bring more than a year of rain to some areas, including California, Nevada and Arizona. Such rains could cause catastrophic flooding, prompting parts of Southern California to issue a Category 4 - the highest - hazard for heavy rainfall, the first time a threat has been issued has announced such in the region. As of Friday, the storm was located about 325 miles south of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, with sustained winds of 130 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), Hillary is forecast to continue a Category 4 hurricane as it approaches the Mexican island of Baja California through Sunday.
U.S. is bracing for a variety of outcomes as the storm heads north, and small deviations from its path could change forecasts of peak rain and wind This storm a its unexpected acceleration means Mexico and California could feel its effects sooner than originally predicted Meteorologists are also watching closely for Hillary's landfall in California, a scenario that hasn't happened since 1939. Los Angeles County.
Southern California, as well as parts of Nevada and Arizona, are bracing for severe flooding. Experts predict the storm's high risk of heavy rainfall could cause catastrophic damage. Although high-risk events occur only a few days each year, they account for the majority of flood-related injuries and deaths. Areas of southern California and Nevada could see 3 to 5 inches of rain, and up to 10 inches could fall in some areas. The central portions of these counties, as well as western Arizona and southwestern Utah, will see 1 to 3 inches of rain.
One surprising prediction concerns Death Valley in California, known as the hottest place on earth. Normally, only about 2 inches of rain fall per year, and water from Hillary can produce 2 years of rain in a single day. Las Vegas, which receives only 3.75 inches of rain per year, received 2 to 4 inches of rain as a result of the storm.
With Hurricane Hillary in full swing, there are stark reminders of the impact of climate change on extreme weather. Its ability to cause unprecedented rainfall and flooding underscores the need for early preparedness and adaptation in the face of changing weather patterns.
