Hurricane/Tropical Storm Hilary Response
Hurricane Hilary made landfall in Mexico on August 18th before hitting the southwestern United States as a tropical storm later that week. The unprecedented storm system caused widespread damage and flooding, particularly in California’s burn areas where mudslides and debris flows were triggered by heavy rain and high winds.
Operation USA continues to assess any opportunities to support impacted communities with emergency funding, supplies and/or long term support. Your donations make this possible.
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HOW TO HELP:
The best way to help communities impacted by Hilary is with a cash donation, which enables Operation USA to remain agile and quickly deliver emergency aid to partners on the ground.
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LATEST UPDATES:
August 21, 2023–Operation USA remains on alert in the wake of Hurricane/Tropical Storm Hilary and is reviewing reports of damage from the unprecedented storm system–which dumped excessive rain on Southern California and caused flooding and mudslides in many areas. Many in Los Angeles were also rocked by a magnitude 5.1 earthquake centered near Ojai on Sunday afternoon, though the tremor is not reported to have caused any major damage. As flooding recedes and destruction from Hilary is assessed, OpUSA will prepare to provide assistance where needed as much as opportunities allow.
August 18, 2023–Operation USA is monitoring Hurricane Hilary as it tracks north along Mexico’s Baja Peninsula. While the storm–currently a Category 4–is expected to downgrade to a tropical storm before reaching Southern California, experts–who have issued California’s first-ever Tropical Storm Watch–predict an “unprecedented” storm bringing high winds, heavy rainfall, flash flooding and other risks to the area.
We are urging all those in Hilary’s path to take action NOW to get prepared for the impact of this storm. Charge your devices, stock up on groceries and fresh water, check/re-stock disaster kits, coordinate with family members and neighbors, and pay attention to (and heed!) all warnings from local officials. If you are in a mountainous area, where rainfall is expected to be heaviest and mudslides are likely, familiarize with risks in your immediate area and consider evacuation if you are able. People near California’s coast should avoid beaches–where massive waves and riptides are predicted–and take every precaution to ensure safety. What you do
today can make all the difference in post-disaster recovery.
Track Hurricane Hilary
Learn How to Get Prepared