Tropical Storm Hilary Slams Southwest US and Baja California, Mexico

Facts

• Tropical storm Hilary reached Southern California and the US Southwest Monday, bringing record-breaking downpours and the threat of flash flooding, landslides, and mudslides.¹
• Though Hilary was downgraded from a hurricane to a tropical storm, Friday marked the first time a tropical storm watch has been issued in California after the US National Hurricane Center issued the alert.²
• Despite losing some strength, Hilary is still expected to bring heavy rain through Tuesday after already causing roughly the equivalent of six months' worth of rain in some areas.³
• Hilary sustained winds close to 145 mph (233 km/hr) on Friday and intensified before weakening. Early reported impacts include 911 services being down and massive road closures in Palm Springs, Calif., and — in Mexico — over 2.7K members of the Mexican armed forces providing relief services including the delivery of food and water to impacted areas.⁴
• Southern California was also hit with a 5.1 magnitude earthquake Sunday as its residents prepared for Hilary and its impacts. The earthquake started four miles from Ojai and 80 miles northwest of LA. No significant damage has yet been reported from the quake itself.⁵
• Hilary first formed off the coast of Manzanillo, Mexico, Wednesday and shifted west-northwest toward Baja. Flood watches have been issued for Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, including Catalina Island, and a hurricane warning in Mexico's Baja California peninsula from Punta Abreojos to Punta Eugenia.⁶

Sources: ¹Reuters, ²ABC30 Fresno, ³CBS, ⁴CNN, ⁵NBC Los Angeles, and ⁶New York Times

Narratives

• Narrative A, as provided by New York Times. Scientists agree that climate change is making hurricanes worse and increasing the likelihood of dangerous powerful storms. Global warming is also increasing the amount of rain that storms can produce and rapidly intensifying the strength and reach of tropical systems. This trend is real and it is worrying. Governments need to take action against climate change before things get worse.
• Narrative B, as provided by New York Post. Global warming should not be the scapegoat for every extreme weather event. The major reason for an increase in hurricane-related damage is not due to an increase in the number or intensity of hurricanes, but rather because more people live within the paths of these storms. Rather than fear mongering, authorities should focus on reducing vulnerability along coastlines and rehabilitating wetlands.

Predictions