Hilary causes floods and rescues—”unlike anything our community has faced”

Hurricane Hilary’s leftovers battered the Western United States on Monday, spreading havoc from the mountains and deserts to the Pacific Ocean beaches after causing mudslides, flooding, and water rescues across Southern California.

After causing mudslides, flooding, and water rescues across Southern California, Hurricane Hilary’s remnants pounded the Western United States on Monday, wreaking havoc from the mountains and deserts to the Pacific Ocean beaches. (Photo: FOX 4)

Schools, companies, and offices were shuttered throughout the region

In a report from MSN, roadways were washed out by rain and debris, leaving stranded cars in the water. By early Monday, Beverly Hills had received about 5 inches of rain, compared to roughly 7 inches in some areas of Los Angeles County. With 2.48 inches of rain, Sunday was the wettest August day recorded in Downtown Los Angeles.

A foot of rain fell atop Mount San Jacinto in Riverside County, more than 100 miles to the east. Coachella Valley nearby was severely affected, and Palm Springs police stated at one point on Sunday that 911 lines were down, forcing locals to text 911 or call the closest police or fire station. Eisenhower Medical Center floodwaters were removed by Rancho Mirage workers. Residents in Palm Desert were warned to stay inside or travel cautiously while workers cleared away fallen trees and reduced flooding.

As the storm continued to pose a risk of life-threatening and locally catastrophic flooding for areas of the Southwest, schools, companies, and offices were shuttered throughout the region, according to a warning from the National Weather Service.

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USA Today reported that while downgrading Hilary to a post-tropical storm, the National Hurricane Center in Miami issued a warning that the system may still bring 2 to 4 inches of rain to several places. Through Monday, isolated towns in parts of Southern California and Southern Nevada could receive up to 12 inches of precipitation, according to forecasters.

On Monday, there was already a lot of rain falling in certain areas of Oregon and Idaho as the storm moved north. The meteorological agency said that some regions might experience rainfall of up to 5 inches by Tuesday morning, which could lead to “significant” flash floods. But Hilary continued to affect Southern California.

Road and rail line closures resulting from heavy flooding, washouts, and mudslides are likely in inland Southern California, according to Dan DePodwin, director of forecasting operations for AccuWeather, placing a considerable strain on infrastructure.

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