Hurricane Hilary: Storm prompts Gov. Newsom to declare State of Emergency

In advance of the storm, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a State of Emergency for much of Southern California Saturday evening to support the Hurricane Hilary response and recovery efforts as the state continues mobilizing and coordinating resources ahead of the storm's forecasted impacts.

Heavy rainfall and high winds were expected to begin Saturday and last through Monday. At the governor's direction, there were currently more than 7,500 boots on the ground deployed to help local communities protect Californians from the impacts of Hilary.

The governor also signed an emergency proclamation in San Diego while visiting with California National Guard troops. He met with first responders and local officials, including San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria. He was also in touch with federal officials, including the White House.

The Emergency Medical Services Authority has assets on standby, including California Medical Assistance Teams to augment local capacity, aid in evacuations and support medical needs in communities impacted by flooding. The EMSA was 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 guardsmen 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 more than 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.

Voluntary evacuations were in place in Silverado and Williams canyons, which compose part of the Bond Fire burn scar.

Hilary was at Category 2 strength Saturday afternoon and was expected to further 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 various areas, especially Southern California's mountain and desert communities.

A tropical storm has not made landfall in California since 1939.

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

• flooding of streets and parking lots that will make driving conditions dangerous and potentially prompt road and bridge closures.

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."

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Hurricane Hilary: Storm prompts Newsom to declare State of Emergency