As Hurricane Hillary moved up Mexico’s Pacific coast, it strengthened to a Category 4 hurricane with sustained winds near 140 mph (220 kph) early Friday morning. However, by the time it makes its way up north to Southern CA, it will weaken to a tropical storm that could bring several inches of rain to the area.
No tropical storm has made landfall in Southern California since Sept. 25, 1939, according to the National Weather Service. Even SpaceX delayed the launch of a satellite-carrying rocket from a base on California’s central coast until at least Monday. The company said conditions in the Pacific could make it difficult for a ship to recover the rocket booster.
Hurricane Hilary live updates: Category 4 storm barrels toward California
- Some places, like Death Valley and Palm Springs, could see up to three years’ worth of rain in the span of just a few days. Flash flooding is possible.
- Joshua Tree National Park managers will shut down park areas that are vulnerable to extreme flooding in anticipation of Hilary later today.
