CALIFORNIA, USA — As Hurricane Hilary pushes toward and eventually into California, the impacts to the southern end of the state are expected to be “catastrophic.”
Gov. Gavin Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency Saturday for much of the southern California region ahead of the storm.
Meteorologists warned that despite the hurricane's weakening, the storm's speed had accelerated Saturday and remained treacherous. Forecasters said the storm is still expected to enter the history books as the first tropical storm to hit Southern California in 84 years, and bring along flash floods, mudslides, isolated tornadoes, high winds and widespread power outages.
There are currently more than 7,500 emergency officials deployed to help communities protect Californians from the impacts of Hurricane Hilary.
“California has thousands of people on the ground working hand-in-hand with federal and local personnel to support communities in Hurricane Hilary’s path with resources, equipment and expertise,” said Newsom in a statement. “We’re mobilizing all of government as we prepare and respond to this unprecedented storm.”
Of those prepositioned ahead of the storm are statewide officials including:
- The Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA) has assets on standby, including California Medical Assistance Teams (CAL-MAT), to augment local capacity, aid in evacuations, and support medical needs in communities impacted by flooding. The EMSA is 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 soldiers 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 over 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.
Caltrans officials are installing pumps in flood-prone areas in Southern California to try and limit road impacts.
Some California State Parks and beaches will be closed through Monday until the storm passes.
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National Weather Service's Sacramento radar: