Tropical Storm Hilary has made its presence known, affecting vast areas of Southern California and is now poised to impact Nevada early Monday. The storm has left many regions under flood warnings, even disrupting emergency services with reports of people being unable to access 911. Schools in both Southern California and parts of Nevada have been shuttered due to anticipated flooding. The storm, progressing at a speed of 35 miles per hour towards the north and east, is predicted to bring rain to regions as far-flung as Idaho and Montana on Monday.

Adding to the conditions, Southern California was jolted by a 5.1 magnitude earthquake on Sunday afternoon, coinciding with the arrival of Tropical Storm Hilary. According to the USGS, the quake’s epicenter was located about 4 miles southeast of Ojai, northwest of Los Angeles. The timing and combined impact of the storm and earthquake led many on social media to dub the phenomenon as a “hurriquake.”

Air travel faced massive disruptions over the weekend, with over 1,000 flights being canceled as Hilary loomed over the west coast. By Monday morning, this number increased by almost 800 additional cancellations. Among the affected airports, notable mentions include Nevada’s Harry Reid International Airport, San Diego’s International Airport, and Phoenix’s Sky Harbor International Airport. The storm is especially significant for Southern California, being the first tropical storm to hit the region in 84 years, placing 25 million residents under flood warnings and raising concerns about potential destruction.

 

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