National Weather Service officials have issued a Flood Watch for all Orange County towns as tropical cyclone Hurricane Hilary rages through Baja California.
According to officials, the Flood Watch is in force from late Saturday night until Monday night. The warning is being issued as forecasters predict flooding in Southwest California due to significant rainfall.
The National Weather Service issued a statement that said, “Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations.” Residents “may experience] flooding in urban areas with inadequate drainage, with debris flows on recent burn scars possible.”
Orange County Could Experience Flooding This Weekend#Tropicalcyclonehttps://t.co/3f4QX6YyE4
— NAIS NEWS (@naisnewsss) August 18, 2023
Residents in flood-prone areas were asked to keep an eye on weather forecasts and be on the lookout for more flood warnings, and those who live there should be ready to act if flooding occurs.
The flood warning comes after Tropical Storm Hilary was officially declared a hurricane as it rapidly gained strength on its way to southern California on Thursday.
National Weather Service officials expect the storm to strengthen and become a severe Category 3 hurricane later in the day.
The strong storm is expected to make landfall in Southern California Saturday as a tropical storm. However, it has the potential to become the rare tropical cyclone to hit the state. According to the San Diego National Weather Service, it has been nearly a century since a tropical cyclone last hit the region, bringing high winds, large waves and heavy rain.
Hilary’s exact path is still uncertain, but National Weather Service forecasters show showers could begin Saturday night in San Diego and peak Sunday and Monday in Southern California.Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected for the next week.
THE NAIS IS OFFICIAL EDITOR ON NAIS NEWS