Power Outages, Floods, Pounding Rain And Wind Expected As Hilary Hits

LOS ANGELES, CA — 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.

Hilary was at Category 3 strength Saturday morning and expected to 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 soon as 3-5 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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

City News Service