From Captain Rico Gross, LAFD & Disaster Preparedness Officer, Homeland Security Division
Dear CERT Los Angeles,
I am reaching out to provide important information regarding Hurricane Hilary and the tropical storm watch. First and foremost, I want to express my gratitude for your dedication and commitment. Your safety is our utmost concern, especially during this historic event. Please prioritize your safety and the well-being of your family.
LAFD Weather Update:
Los Angeles is under a Tropical Storm Watch. Prepare for possible tropical storm-force winds within 48 hours. This is a first-time issuance of a Tropical Storm Watch for the City of Los Angeles.
In my role as the Disaster Preparedness Officer and CERT Commander for LAFD, I want to emphasize that the safety of our volunteer teams is paramount. There is a possibility of sustained winds and hazardous conditions, this includes situations involving heavy flooding or winds exceeding tropical storm values (50+ MPH).
It is crucial that you ensure your own preparedness. Make sure your go-bags are ready and that you are fully prepared. Your primary focus should be securing your home and loved ones.
***IF there is a call for spontaneous volunteers, you will receive precise instructions from LAFD CERT command or firefighters. We will provide exact locations and ensure continuous monitoring and coordination throughout the activation. This can be from PulsePoint or email.
Our goal is to raise your awareness and preparedness. Please ensure your emergency provisions are in place, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.
Lastly, I want to reiterate: Please refrain from self-deploying in potentially hazardous conditions.
Thank you for your commitment to our mission.
Stay safe and prepared.
Rico A Gross
Captain II, Los Angeles CITY Fire Department
Disaster Preparedness Officer, Homeland Security Division
BELOW – are the notes from LAFD Weather, Aug. 18, 2023:
Breaking news: all of Los Angeles is now under a Tropical Storm Watch. A Tropical Storm Watch means tropical storm-force winds are possible somewhere within this area within the next 48 hours.
This is the first time the Los Angeles office has ever issued a Tropical Storm Watch in the City of Los Angeles.
Hurricane Hilary is located about 360 miles SSW of Cabo San Lucas, moving NW at 10 mph. Maximum sustained winds are 145 mph, double what they were 24 hours ago. Hilary is a major hurricane (Category 4) with tropical storm-force winds extending up to 250 nautical miles from its center.
The hurricane continues on its expected path between a receding ridge over the center of the U.S. and a cutoff low off the Southern California coast. As Hilary moves north several impacts will weaken it. Number 1, major hurricanes struggle to maintain their strength. The large size of the storm will work to pull it apart. Eyewall replacement cycles temporarily weaken storms. The forward section of the storm upwells deep, cold water to disrupt the warm sea surface temperatures. The storm will be moving over increasingly colder waters not-conducive to vertical, non-frontal tropical systems. There is an environment of wind shear north of the storm that will also disrupt its integrity. Finally, the terrain of Baja California could affect the storm depending on the path.
There has been little change to the forecast path with the various models in agreement that the cyclone will parallel the Baja coast before landfalling somewhere near the Mexican/U.S. border.
In addition the Los Angeles office of the National Weather Service has issued Tropical Watches for the Channel Islands and the higher elevations of L.A. Counties, the first-ever Tropical Watches issued by that office.
It is becoming more possible (30-40%) that the inner coastal waters of southern Los Angeles County will experience tropical storm-force winds. For the remainder of the county, anywhere from 10% to 30% (chances decrease from SE to NW). Any winds L.A. receives will start out of the SE, transition to out of the east and finally to out of the NE. Remember that tropical storm-force winds are nearly 40 mh sustained! These would be stronger than the strongest Santa Ana winds we ever receive. Even with likely rainfall, fire starts could spread rapidly downwind. Possible wind impacts: damage to porches, awnings, carports, sheds, and unanchored mobile homes. Unsecured lightweight objects blown about. Many large tree limbs broken off. A few trees uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are shallow rooted. Some fences and roadway signs blown over. A few roads impassable from debris, particularly within urban or heavily wooded places. Hazardous driving conditions on bridges and other elevated roadways. Scattered power and communications outages.
Rainfall impacts from Hilary within the Southwestern United States are expected to peak this weekend into Monday. A Flash Flood Watch is in effect for all of Los Angeles from Sunday afternoon through Monday evening. Flash, urban, and arroyo flooding is expected, with the potential for rare and dangerous impacts. Destructive runoff may rage down mountain valleys while increasing susceptibility to rockslides, mudslides and debris flows. Flood control systems and barriers may become stressed. Streets and parking lots could become rivers of moving water with underpasses submerged. Driving conditions become dangerous, with many road and bridge closures.
Go to: https://emergency.lacity.gov/updates for the latest information and links to learn how to prepare for storms.
