A U.S. government agency announced that Hurricane Hilary approached the Baja California Peninsula in Mexico yesterday, Saturday, warning of the possibility of catastrophic flooding in the peninsula and the southwestern United States. The hurricane has already caused flight cancellations and baseball game disruptions in the U.S.
A Mexican official reported that a man was killed in Baja California Sur when rushing waters swept a family of five toward the sea while crossing a water stream. The official also showed images of roads flooded in the area.
The National Hurricane Center stated that the hurricane weakened as it moved toward the central west coast of the peninsula on Saturday evening. It is expected to lose more strength and transition into a tropical storm as it heads toward Southern California during the day and evening today, Sunday.
The White House reported that President Joe Biden received a briefing from senior staff regarding preparations for the hurricane, and his team has been working with government and local agencies before the storm.
In the Baja California Peninsula, some school activities and other non-essential activities were canceled until tomorrow, Monday, and authorities in Tijuana, Mexico's second-largest city, urged people in at-risk areas to relocate to temporary shelters.
The National Hurricane Center noted that Hilary is moving northwest at a speed of nearly 27 kilometers per hour, with maximum winds reaching 161 kilometers per hour. U.S. authorities warned citizens and businesses to exercise caution and take preventive measures.
Nearly 200 scheduled flights have been canceled today, Sunday, at San Diego International Airport, with an additional 184 flights canceled for tomorrow, Monday, according to the FlightAware website.
