Hurricane Hilary to maintain ‘hurricane’ status after landfall in Southern California, heavy rainfall and flooding expected

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

Hurricane Hilary is casting a shadow of concern across Southern California as the region prepares for significant heavy rainfall and the possibility of widespread flooding. The hurricane, which surged to category 4 status on Friday, is expected to maintain its hurricane status as it makes landfall on the West Coast of the Baja California peninsula on Saturday night. However, meteorologists predict its force will dwindle to that of a tropical storm as it advances toward Southern California on Sunday afternoon.

Southern California found itself under the watchful eye of a tropical storm for the first time as Hilary's path unfurled. This storm watch encompasses the area from the California-Mexico border to the Orange-Los Angeles County line, encompassing Catalina Island as well.

With its power and might on full display, Hurricane Hilary, positioned approximately 360 miles south-southwest of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, exhibits maximum sustained winds of 145 mph on Friday, marking it as a «large and powerful» hurricane, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Local authorities and weather services are urging residents to take precautions. Ensuring the safety of valuable possessions and staying off flooded roads are paramount, given the anticipated torrential downpours.

Though Hilary is anticipated to weaken as it nears Southern California, its influence may be felt as early as Saturday. AccuWeather meteorologist Scott Homan forecasts that the storm's effects will be noticeable even before its actual arrival, as moisture funnels northward into the storm