SAN DIEGO, Calif. (KSWB) — A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for San Diego County as Hurricane Hilary rotates north from the coast of Mexico.
This is the first time in history that the National Hurricane Center has made this type of advisory for the region.
The areas affected include Borrego Springs, Julian, Pine Valley, Oceanside, Carlsbad, Chula Vista, San Diego, Escondido, El Cajon, Lakeside and Poway.
The Tropical Storm Watch — which also includes portions of Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties — went into effect Friday at 8:29 a.m.
A full list of specific areas for each county can be found here.
What is a Tropical Storm Watch?
The National Weather Service says this means tropical storm-force winds are possible somewhere within this area within the next 48 hours. To put that in perspective, peak winds from Hilary could reach 30-40 mph with gusts to 55 mph after making landfall.
According to weather officials, Hilary’s window for tropical storm force winds is expected to be Sunday afternoon until early Monday morning.
NWS has advised residents in these areas to plan for hazardous wind by preparing their properties ahead of time.
Possible impacts
Potential impacts from tropical storm-force winds, according to NWS, include:
— Damage to porches, awnings, carports, sheds, and unanchored mobile homes.
— Unsecured lightweight objects could be blown about.
— Large tree limbs may be broken off and/or trees snapped or uprooted, especially in places where trees are shallow rooted like coastal and valley locations that don`t typically experience strong winds.
— Some fences and roadway signs may be blown over.
— A few roads may be impassable from debris, particularly within urban or heavily wooded places.
— Hazardous driving conditions on bridges and other elevated roadways.
— Scattered power and communications outages
Flooding threat
Hilary could bring excessive rainfall, which has the potential for extreme flooding in these listed areas. NWS anticipates 3-6 inches during peak rainfall this weekend.
Weather officials have encouraged residents to create emergency plans in the case of extreme flooding from heavy rain.
NWS warns evacuations and rescues are likely during Tropical Storm Watches
