August 19, 2023 Hurricane Hilary News (2023)

Our live coverage of Hurricane Hilary has been moved here.

Ahead of the expected extreme weather from Hurricane Hilary, officials on Catalina Island — located off the coast of Southern California — are encouraging visitors and residents "who cannot survive without power and those with medical, access and functional needs ", to leave the island on Saturday. .

The warning was issued "due to the anticipated impact of the storm and possible extended disruptions to SCE's operations,"Newsfrom the city of Avalon reads. Those who want to leave the small island can take the Catalina Express ferry.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and Los Angeles County Fire Department have deployed additional resources to the island, according to the release.

"The Red Cross, Los Angeles County and the City of Long Beach will have services available at the Catalina Express Ferry Terminal, including transportation, shelter and other essential services," the statement said.

Hurricane Hilary has weakened to a Category 2 storm, with maximum sustained winds of 110 mph, according to the latest update from the National Hurricane Center.

The storm's speed increased a little more to 17 mph. It is currently 640 miles southeast of San Diego.

Some context:Hilary is expected to continue to weaken as it moves north-northwest through cooler waters toward southern California.

Although the forecast consistently called for light winds by the time the storm reached the US, the main source of concern for public safety was the sheer amount of rain the storm brought to very dry areas.

Follow Hilaryin puthere.

State leaders are working with dam operators in Southern California to make sure facilities are ready to release water this weekend if needed in response to Hurricane Hilary, according to California Department of Water Resources Director Karla Nemeth.

The department has opened a state and federal flood operations center, Nemeth said.

"We're monitoring the potential impact of Hurricane Hilary there," he said, adding that the department is in contact with local flood agencies and that "they have pre-positioned flood control materials and things like sandbags and other materials for the public in the counties of Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Ventura, Santa Barbara and Orange County. We also have materials prepared to fight flooding in Fresno and Kings County and other Central Valley counties as needed."

Nemeth strongly advised people to stay home if they don't need to be out on the streets.

"Please take yourself out of the equation," he said. "We have to make sure all our people are safe, including first responders."

Hurricane Hillary headed your way? Do not panic. There are many steps you can take to protect yourself, your loved ones and your property.

A checklist can help you get started, with advice fromAmerican Red Cross,Federal Emergency Management Agency, TheDepartment of Homeland SecurityINational Hurricane Center.

Read heretheDownload PDF, which contains links to more details. Anyone in the path of a hurricane is encouraged to check these online resources to stay safe.

Here's some more advice from the National Hurricane Center:

The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department has issued an evacuation warning for the communities of Oak Glen, Forest Falls, Mountain Home Village, Angelus Oaks and Northeast Yucaipa, according to a department release.Instagram.

Hurricane Hillary, currently a Category 3 storm, is on track to bring heavy rainfall to the region. Dangerous floods and mudslides are also possible.

Some context:San Bernardino County is east of Los Angeles and the communities listed are in the mountain or foothills.

Oneevacuation warningIt is not a mandatory order for residents to leave home, but is intended to prepare them to be ready to leave at any time. Particularly vulnerable people may decide to evacuate immediately.

The director of the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services issued a stark warning at a news conference Saturday, saying the approach of Hurricane Hillary "could be one of the most destructive storms to hit California in more than a decade."

According to Ward, the heavy rainfall and strong winds associated with the storm have already begun and will be felt "well away from the center of the storm moving toward California."

The worst effects are expected on Sunday. You canfollow the storm here.

Ward's agency, the governor's disaster response unit, known as Cal OES, was activated 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to coordinate emergency response and help bring resources to the southern part of the state.

Emergency responders are also proactively deployed throughout Southern California so they can respond quickly to flooding, mudslides and other hazards, Ward said.

"We have pre-positioned high water vehicles with water rescue teams," Cal OES director said. "We also work with utility partners."

The Los Angeles County Park System announced Saturday that all county parks, buildings and facilities will be closed Monday and Tuesday as the region braces for heavy rain, possible flooding and strong winds from Hurricane Hilary.

All programs and classes in parks, as well as aquatic centers, beaches, playgrounds, restrooms and trails will remain closed, according to an announcement issued Saturday.

"Although the parks are not fenced off, visitors are encouraged to remain indoors," the Parks Department said.

Sunday's concert by My Morning Jacket and Fleet Foxes at the Hollywood Bowl has also been postponed. The concert will now take place on Monday, August 28, as the iconic outdoor venue announced on its website on Saturday afternoon.

"The Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation Department will close Park facilities on Sunday (August 20) and Monday (August 21), in cooperation with the LA Phil, this includes the Hollywood Bowl and The Ford."accordingnotice of postponement.

CNN's Keith Allen and Heather Sinclair contributed to this report.