As Tropical Storm Hilary barrels towards Southern California, residents are preparing for the unprecedented storm that made landfall on Sunday.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass stressed the importance of staying safe, staying home and staying informed during the storm. She also offered ways that Angelenos can prepare for Tropical Storm Hilary:

  • Stay away from the shoreline and beaches throughout the duration of the storm
  • Visit the National Weather Service website for hurricane safety tips and resources
  • Follow @ReadyLA on social media for general resources and information
  • Sign up for NotifyLA to receive emergency updates
  • Visit the LADOT website to view significant road closures or transportation impacts

California Gov. Gavin Newsom took to Twitter to remind potentially impacted Californians of five essential steps that can be taken to stay safer during the storm: 

  • Stay connected – Check CalAlerts for local updates, call 311 to get help or 911 for a critical emergency and check on vulnerable neighbors and family members 
  • Prepare for high winds and ocean surges – Remove any dead trees or overhanging branches near structures and bring in unsecured objects from patios and balconies. Due to the National Weather Service issuing a high surf advisory, beachgoers are urged to stay out of the ocean. 
  • Travel safely – Do not walk, swim or drive through flood waters, and avoid all non-essential travel. For those who must leave, visit www.QuickMap.dot.ca.gov for updates on road conditions, traffic, closures and more. 
  • Be ready in case of power outages – Keep devices charged and plan for batteries and other alternative power sources to meet your needs if the power goes out. Water and cell phone outages are also possible. 
  • Listen to local authorities – Follow the guidance of local authorities, including evacuation orders, road closures and other official notices. 
Long Beach residents are seen filling sandbags on August 19, 2023 as coastal communities in SoCal are bracing for potential flooding from Hurricane Hilary. (KTLA)
Long Beach residents are seen filling sandbags on August 19, 2023, as coastal communities in SoCal are bracing for potential flooding from Tropical Storm Hilary. (KTLA)

According to Listos California, the state’s disaster readiness program, key steps to take when preparing for a natural disaster include making a household safety plan, packing a bag with necessities in case of evacuation and putting together a “stay box” in case of a shelter-in-place order. 

A Disaster Ready Guide is available in eight languages on the Listos California website. 

To track Tropical Storm Hilary in real time, click here.