Tropical Storm Watch Threatens Disneyland
The United States has entered the worrisome part of hurricane season, with a Disney theme park again once again facing serious storms.
The surprise this time is that Disneyland Resort is the park in peril.
Yes, for the first time since 1939, a tropical storm may make landfall in Southern California. Here’s everything we know.
Hurricane Hilary Evolves into a Major Storm
Let’s start with a point of clarification for those of you unfamiliar with Southern California.
Baja California isn’t in California. It’s a part of Mexico.
I say this as a point of clarification because Baja California resides about 260 miles from Disneyland.
Now that you know this bit of geography, a quote from the National Hurricane Center will grab your attention:
“Hurricane Hilary, a large and powerful Category 4 storm, was on Friday morning barreling toward the Baja California Peninsula and the Southwestern United States, where it may cause “significant and rare impacts.”
Obviously, everything about that statement is terrifying. And it’s led to something unimaginable happening.
For the first time ever, the National Hurricane Center has issued a Tropical Storm Watch for Southern California.
A Tropical Storm Watch signifies a strong likelihood that this region of California will experience a Tropical Storm during the next 48 hours.
So, between now and the end of Sunday, the weather will be scary for our friends in the Golden State.
The Tropical Storm Watch covers both sides of the Mexico/US border.
More importantly for MickeyBlog readers, it also includes Orange County, California, the home of Disneyland Resort.
Will Disneyland Experience a Hurricane?
Since Hurricane Hilary’s winds have already reached 145 miles per hour, a hurricane remains a distinct possibility.
However, meteorologists currently expect the wind force to lessen in the Baja California Peninsula on Saturday, which is why it’s important you understand that’s not in California.
The prevailing belief is that by the time Hillary arrives stateside, it will have lost hurricane status. That’s what we’re all hoping will happen.
The New York Times points out that the distinction won’t make a significant difference in what happens, though.
“Hilary’s exact landfall likely will not make much of a difference when it comes to the expected hazards in the region…
“Hilary will dump up to six inches of rain, with isolated amounts up to 10 inches, across portions of the Baja California Peninsula through Sunday night, with the possibility of flash flooding.
Hurricane Hilary exploded into a Category 4 monster with winds sustained at 145mph near the eye wall.
As moves northward and encounters colder ocean water & the Baja of California before making landfall in Southern California as a strong Tropical Storm or weak category 1… pic.twitter.com/BTRc5YWaHw
— Meteorologist Kody Wilson (@kodythewxguy) August 18, 2023
“Portions of Southern California and Southern Nevada will see similar rainfall totals through Wednesday.”
Local officials have issued Flood Watches for Ventura County and Los Angeles County.
At the time of publication, Orange County hasn’t done so, though. Just to be safe, here’s a link for Flood Emergency instructions in Orange County.
What Happens Next?
#Hilary 🧵: Rainfall impacts from Hurricane Hilary within the Southwestern United States are expected to peak this weekend into Monday. Flash, urban, and arroyo flooding is expected with the potential for significant impacts. pic.twitter.com/haRvJar8cG
— National Weather Service (@NWS) August 18, 2023
Honestly, nobody knows, and it’s challenging even to speculate due to a lack of historical comparisons.
This sort of weather event is so rare in the region that the last cyclone occurred in 1939.
El Cordonazo, also referred to as The Lash of St. Francis, caused 93 deaths, nearly half of them due to drowning.
That’s the biggest fear with such weather events on the coastline.
Thankfully, presuming the forecast doesn’t worsen, Tropical Storm Hillary should reach land with winds of “only” 70 miles per hour on Sunday evening.
By the end of Monday, those winds should drop to 40 miles per hour.
Still, this weekend will be a tense one for everyone in the region. Please keep them in your thoughts.
Also, remember that you can donate to organizations like UNICEF, Red Cross, and Amnesty International, which will use your charitable contributions to help those in need.
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