As a category 2 hurricane, it is expected to break down into a Tropical Storm. The National Weather Service Storm Tracking has issued a Flood Watch from Saturday Morning through Monday afternoon.

Hurricane Hillary is predicted to bring heavy rains and possible flooding to Southern California, officials have issued evacuation warnings for residents living in areas that could be severely impacted. 

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has declared a State of Emergency for Southern California. The storm's expected trajectory includes population centers like San Diego, San Bernadino, and Palm Springs, California.

In Orange County, alerts and evacuation notices are currently being issued on Catalina Island: 

• Silverado Canyon
• Williams Canyon
• San Bernardino County

The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department has issued an evacuation warning for those living in:

• Oak Glen
• Forest Falls
• Mountain Home Village
• Angelus Oaks
• Northeast Yucaipa

These areas are known to flood during heavy rainfall events. And have experienced severe mudslides in the past.

42 million people are currently under the first Tropical Storm Warning ever issued in Southern California. 

The alert encompasses vast coastal stretches, extending from Los Angeles to the U.S.-Mexico border. The warning signifies the imminent threat posed by Hurricane Hilary.

Historic Tropical Storm Warning: Hurricane Hilary Projected to Hit California with Life-Threatening Flooding – USA Herald

Storm tracking 

LIVE TRACKING: HURRICANE HILARY

Flood watches are in effect from southern California through Arizona, extending north to Oregon and Idaho.

Flash Flood Warnings and road closings have already started. California Department of Transportation took the precaution of shutting down Highway 98 in Ocotillo, near San Diego, due to flooding and debris rendering the road impassable.

Firefighters in Palm Springs took swift action, distributing an additional 20,000 sandbags to local residents. On Friday police helicopters circled every 90 minutes on to provide repeated warnings to residents along the flood channel in Palm Springs.

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office urged all residents of Catalina Island to evacuate in anticipation of rough seas and high winds that could pose grave dangers.

Meanwhile, the Air Force Reserve's "Hurricane Hunters," operating under the 403rd Wing at Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi, is flying reconnaissance flights into Hurricane Hilary.

Their objective is to gather invaluable weather data to enhance the National Hurricane Center's (NHC) forecasting accuracy, contributing to the overall preparedness and safety of the region.

"By flying into the storm, crews are able to locate the low-pressure center of the storm and collect data that assists with movement and intensity forecasts," said Lt. Col. Steve Burton, 53rd WRS mission commander for the weather deployment.

 "The data we collect can improve a forecast by anywhere from 15-25%."

Flash Flood Warnings and road closings have already started. California Department of Transportation took the precaution of shutting down Highway 98 in Ocotillo, near San Diego, due to flooding and debris rendering the road impassable.