Heavy rainfall and flooding hit Palm Springs on Sunday, with tropical storm Hilary causing extensive damage to the West Coast.
Tropical Storm Hilary Causes Chaos Across Southwestern U.S.
Tropical Storm Hilary has made a historic impact on the Southwestern United States, causing widespread flooding, flight disruptions, and infrastructure damage. The storm, which hit Southern California on Sunday, is the first of its kind to impact the region in nearly 84 years.
The storm is expected to produce additional rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches, with isolated storm total amounts of up to 12 inches, across portions of Southern California and Southern Nevada through today. This has led to significant preparations, including the first-ever tropical storm warning for Southern California.
The storm's effects have been particularly severe in Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley, a dry, desert area that rarely sees rain at all. Cars have been seen floating, roads have turned into bodies of water, and streets are filled with debris. The National Weather Service has warned of "life-threatening and locally catastrophic flooding" across the Southwestern U.S. into Monday evening.
The storm has caused mass transportation delays and cancellations for residents across the region. Over 4,500 flights have been delayed or canceled at airports in Palm Springs, San Diego, and Los Angeles. Burbank, Santa Ana, and Sacramento airports have canceled an estimated 20% of all departing flights. In addition, over 300 flight cancelations occurred on routes going in and out of Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The storm's impact has been so severe that it made Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley trend internationally on social media late Sunday night. Downtown Los Angeles received 2.38 inches of rain, making it the wettest August day in the city's history.
The storm has caused widespread damage and flooding, affecting about 26 million people across Arizona, California, Nevada, and Utah. The storm's effects have been particularly devastating in areas not well-equipped to deal with its effects.
In Cathedral City, California, roads are in need of extensive repairs. Approximately 3.81 inches of rain hit Palm Springs, and the storm's effects were so severe that they made Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley trend internationally on social media late Sunday night.
The National Weather Service has warned of continued flash and urban flooding, locally catastrophic, across the Southwestern U.S. into Monday evening. It is advised that residents in the affected areas remain vigilant and follow the guidance of local authorities.
[1] National Weather Service: [Link to source] [3] ABC News: [Link to source] [5] The Los Angeles Times: [Link to source]
- Amidst the chaos caused by Tropical Storm Hilary, businesses in the affected regions might struggle to operate, as seen in Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley, due to the widespread flooding and infrastructure damage.
- Climate-change studies have been drawing attention to the increased frequency and intensity of such weather events, making it crucial for environmental-science researchers to closely analyze the storm's impact on the Southwestern U.S.
- As the storm results in extensive damage, news outlets are publishing updates regularly about the situation, keeping the public informed about any changes in weather patterns, flight disruptions, and ongoing recovery efforts.
