Flooding and mass evacuation: the storm "Hilary" hits California

Extreme weather in the United States: The tropical storm "Hilary" arrived last night (Sunday) in Southern California, as widespread flooding and winds with speeds of up to 120 km/h (75 mph) were reported throughout the state. California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in the state, as tens of thousands of people were evacuated from their homes due to the risk of flooding.

This is the first storm to hit California since 1939, and it is considered an unusual phenomenon in the region accustomed to droughts. At its peak, the storm was classified as a Category 4 hurricane, but it has since significantly weakened and is now categorized as a tropical storm. According to predictions, between 12 to 25 cm of rain will fall in desert and mountain areas in the coming days, a similar amount to the normal annual average in the region.

The main damage was recorded in San Bernardino County, where entire towns were evacuated after being inundated with water and mud. There were also reports of cars stranded in the floods, with rescue teams having to extract passengers from the vehicles.

"It's an unprecedented weather event, but the city is prepared for it," said Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. "Los Angeles has extensive experience in dealing with emergency events, whether it's extreme weather, wildfires, or earthquakes."