As the Southwestern United States braces for the impact of Hurricane Hilary, California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency in response.
The Governor is mobilizing all government resources and calling upon the California National Guard to help protect local communities from potential flooding, high winds, power outages and mudslides.
The State Operations Center and Cal OES have been activated to monitor the storm as it approaches Southern California this weekend, with more than 7500 troops deployed by the National Guard.
In addition to these efforts, maintenance workers are available 24 hours a day to install pumps in flood-prone areas and ensure roadway safety while campground reservations have been canceled in high-risk areas.
To support medical response teams during this time, the Medical and Health Coordination Center has also been activated.
All state beaches in Orange County and San Diego County have been closed due to Hurricane Hilary’s potential impacts on the region.
Additionally, 10 parks across California will remain closed until further notice as a precautionary measure.
Residents are being warned against entering any bodies of water like rivers or oceans during this period as conditions could be hazardous or life-threatening.
Governor Newsom urges members of the public in affected regions to take all necessary precautions for their safety ahead of Hurricane Hilary’s landfall.
“We’re mobilizing all of government as we prepare and respond to this unprecedented storm,” said Newsom on his visit with California National Guard troops Saturday afternoon.
