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ANAHEIM, Calif. (midday Aug. 19, 2023) — We continue to track and prepare for storm Hilary. As of midday Saturday, here is the latest on what to expect with extensive details below.
What to expect: Hilary summary
Hilary continues to make its way up the Baja coast as a strong hurricane that is expected to break down to a tropical storm as it moves north and arrives in Southern California.
The storm is expected to move from the ocean and make its first landfall in northern Baja by noon Sunday.
The center of the storm is expected to reach San Diego County around 4 p.m. and then move northeast toward Palm Springs, Joshua Tree and eventually Nevada.
Rain and wind will precede the eye of the storm early Sunday.
What to expect: Anaheim
We continue to expect the heaviest rain and strongest wind in Anaheim from roughly 3-7 p.m. on Sunday.
We could see rain as early as late Saturday and are already seeing cloud cover and humidity from the northern most reaches of the storm.
Expect rain all day Sunday with the most significant impacts Sunday afternoon and evening.
The storm is expected to continue into Monday and taper off by afternoon or evening.
Rain: Anaheim
We are expecting 2 inches to 2.5 inches of rain on Sunday in our city. That would be equal to a strong winter storm except in August with warmer temperatures.
The most extreme forecasts you are hearing about are east of us. The mountains and deserts are set to 3 to 7 inches of rain as Hilary veers northeast of Anaheim.
As always, rain can vary by location with east Anaheim likely to see more than other parts of our city. But all of Anaheim is likely to see steady, heavy rain on Sunday.
Sunday afternoon we could see a quarter to three-quarters of an inch of rain per hour as the center of the storm passes to the east of us.
Wind: Anaheim
For Anaheim, winds are currently forecast to be strong and peak Sunday afternoon and evening. We could see steady winds up to 30 mph with stronger, shorter gusts higher than that.
Winds will be sporadic. As a tropical storm, winds will move circularly from the east, like a Santa Ana wind, then recirculate as a western wind off the ocean.
The latest forecast shows Anaheim seeing more western wind with the center of the storm to the east of us.
Wind will vary, with east Anaheim likely seeing eastern wind and west Anaheim seeing winds off the ocean.
Thunder and lightning
We could see and hear thunderstorms. Stay indoors during thunder and lightning.
City crews
City crews have been preparing for the storm and are on duty through the weekend. Our social worker and public safety outreach teams have been and will continue to be out contacting those living in homelessness, including issuing warnings near waterways.
What to do:
* Continue to watch forecasts and updates, including here for Anaheim-specific information.
* Follow city of Anaheim on social media for updates.
* Cover and secure things around your home on Saturday.
* Put off all but essential outings for Sunday. Stay home during the heaviest rain and wind.
* Throughout the storm, prepare for strong wind and rain while driving or outside.
* Watch for water build-up on streets and wind-blown debris.
* Be watchful of trees during peak rain and wind. Should you see an immediate tree concern, call police dispatch at (714) 765-1900 for routing to Public Works.
Sand and sandbags
Sand and sandbags are available at the Anaheim Public Works Yard until 4 p.m. Saturday, or until out.
The yard is at 400 E. Vermont Ave. at Olive Street in downtown. You’ll pull into the front entrance at Vermont and Olive.
Anaheim’s fire stations across the city also have empty sandbags available. Stations were replenished Saturday morning and could run out.
If know one answers at a station, firefighters are on a call. We thank you for your patience — fire crews still need to respond to fire, accidents and all the other calls that come in.
You also buy sand and bags at home improvement stores.
With empty bags, use dirt and soil from around your home to fill and then replace later. It’s an effective and sustainable way to use sandbags.
Sandbag information can be found at Anaheim.net/BeRainReady.
Monday waste collection and street sweeping
Waste collection is as scheduled for Monday routes.
Make sure to place your bins a foot or more away from the curb to allow stormwater to flow, to prevent flooding around your home and to ensure bins don’t get carried away.
Street sweeping is tentative for Monday.
We will sweep in light rain or a break in rain to help prevent debris from reaching the ocean. Sadly, with major rain, a large amount of waste and debris makes it to our coast, harming the environment and marine life.
In any event, there will be no citations on Monday.
If you see the street sweeper and conditions are good, we thank you for moving your vehicle and making way.
Sweeping for Tuesday routes will take place as expected with citations to help clean up after the storm.
