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.
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.
