WEATHER ALERT: Hurricane Hillary
This is an update from the National Weather Service San Diego regarding Hurricane Hillary which is bearing down on San Diego. This weather event is spread out for 500 miles in all directions. Be advised that ScrippsRanchNews.com will provide updates throughout this threatening weather situation as often as possible (possibly pending power outages) until it passes. Should the website go offline, updates will be provided at https://www.facebook.com/scrippsranchnews.
Viewers are encouraged to send photos of weather damage to info@scrippsranchnews.com to be used as part of the emergency updates.
Southern California has never experienced this type of weather emergency threat in modern times, thus it is quite possible that residents, businesses and governmental agencies are not prepared for such an event that often occurs on the East Coast and the Gulf States.
Hurricane Hilary will weaken to a tropical storm as it approaches Southern California Sunday, Aug. 20. Flash flooding can be expected across the whole region, with rare and dangerous flooding expected across the mountains and deserts. Strong, tropical-storm force winds are expected on Sunday.
Protect against dangerous wind having possible significant impacts across Southern California. Potential impacts in this area include:
• Some damage to roofing and siding materials, along with damage to porches, awnings, carports, and sheds. A few buildings experiencing window, door, and garage door failures. Mobile homes damaged, especially if unanchored. Unsecured lightweight objects become dangerous projectiles.
• Several large trees snapped or uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are shallow rooted. Several fences and roadway signs blown over.
• Some roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban or heavily wooded places. Hazardous driving conditions on bridges and other elevated roadways.
• Scattered power and communications outages, but more prevalent in areas with above ground lines.
Flooding
Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible devastating impacts across Southern California. Potential impacts include:
• Extreme rainfall flooding may prompt numerous evacuations and rescues.
• Rivers and tributaries may overwhelmingly overflow their banks in many places with deep moving water. Small streams, creeks, canals, arroyos, and ditches may become raging rivers. In mountain areas, deadly runoff may rage down valleys while increasing susceptibility to rockslides and mudslides. Flood control systems and barriers may become stressed.
• Flood waters can enter numerous structures within multiple communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed away. Numerous places where flood waters may cover escape routes. Streets and parking lots become rivers of raging water with underpasses submerged. Driving conditions become very dangerous. Numerous road and bridge closures with some weakened or washed out.
Tornadoes
Protect against a tornado event having possible limited impacts across Southern California. Potential impacts include:
• The occurrence of isolated tornadoes can hinder the execution of emergency plans during tropical events.
• A few places may experience tornado damage, along with power and communications disruptions.
• Locations could realize roofs peeled off buildings, chimneys toppled, mobile homes pushed off foundations or overturned, large treetops and branches snapped off, shallow-rooted trees knocked over, moving vehicles blown off road and boats pulled from moorings.
EVACUATIONS:
Listen to local official for recommended preparedness actions, including possible evacuation. If ordered to evacuate, do so immediately.
OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
Now is the time to complete all preparations to protect life and property in accordance with your emergency plan. Ensure you are in a safe location before the onset of strong winds or possible flooding.
If you are relocating to safe shelter, leave as early as possible. Allow extra time to reach your destination. Many roads and bridges will be closed once strong winds arrive. Check the latest weather forecast before departing and drive with caution.
If heading to a community shelter, become familiar with the shelter rules before arrival, especially if you have special needs or have pets. Take essential items with you from your Emergency Supplies Kit.
Failure to adequately shelter may result in serious injury or loss of life. Always heed the advice of local officials and comply with any orders that are issued. Remember, during the storm 9-1-1 Emergency Services may not be able to immediately respond if conditions are unsafe. This should be a big factor in your decision making.
Keep cell phones well charged. Cell phone chargers for automobiles can be helpful, but be aware of your risk for deadly carbon monoxide poisoning if your car is left idling in a garage or other poorly ventilated area.
It is important to remain calm, informed, and focused during an emergency. Be patient and helpful with those you encounter.
If you are a visitor, be sure to know the name of the city or town in which you are staying and the name of the county in which t resides. Listen for these locations in local news updates. Pay attention for instructions from local authorities.
Storm surge is the leading killer associated with tropical storms and Hurricanes. Make sure you are in a safe area away from the surge zone. Even if you are not in a surge-prone area, you could find yourself cutoff by flood waters during and after the storm. Heed evacuation orders issued by the local authorities.
Rapidly rising flood waters are deadly. If you are in a flood-prone area, consider moving to higher ground. Never drive through a flooded roadway. Remember, turn around don`t drown.
If a Tornado Warning is issued for your area, be ready to shelter quickly, preferably away from windows and in an interior room not prone to flooding. If driving, scan the roadside for quick shelter options.
If in a place that is vulnerable to high wind, such as near large trees, a manufactured home, upper floors of a high-rise building, or on a boat, consider moving to a safer shelter before the onset of strong winds or flooding.
Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather radio or local news outlets for official storm information. Be ready to adapt to possible changes to the forecast. Ensure you have multiple ways to receive weather warnings.
For information on appropriate preparations see ready.gov.
For information on creating an emergency plan see getagameplan.org.
For additional disaster preparedness information see redcross.org.
Tropical Storm Warning
Peak Wind Forecast: 30-40 mph with gusts to 55 mph
Damage to porches, awnings, carports, sheds, and unanchored mobile homes. Unsecured lightweight objects blown about.
• Many large tree limbs broken off. A few trees snapped or uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are shallow rooted, especially in coastal and valley locations that don`t typically experience strong winds. Some fences and roadway signs blown over.
• A few roads impassable from debris, particularly within urban or heavily wooded places. Hazardous driving conditions on bridges and other elevated roadways.
• Scattered power and communications outages.
Flooding rain
Potential for major flooding rain:
• The flooding rain threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment.
• PLAN: Emergency plans should include the potential for major flooding from heavy rain. Evacuations and rescues are likely.
• PREPARE: Strongly consider protective actions, especially if you are in an area vulnerable to flooding.
• ACT: Heed any flood watches and warnings. Failure to take action will likely result in serious injury or loss of life.
Potential Impacts: Extensive
• Major rainfall flooding may prompt many evacuations and rescues.
• Rivers and tributaries may rapidly overflow their banks in multiple places. Small streams, creeks, canals, arroyos, and ditches may become dangerous rivers. In mountain areas, destructive runoff may run quickly down valleys while increasing susceptibility to rockslides and mudslides. Flood control systems and barriers may become stressed.
• Flood waters can enter many structures within multiple communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed away. Many places where flood waters may cover escape routes. Streets and parking lots become rivers of moving water with underpasses submerged. Driving conditions become dangerous. Many road and bridge closures with some weakened or washed out.