Over the weekend, the impact of Tropical Storm Hilary reverberated across the western part of the United States, leading to the cancellation of over 1,000 scheduled flights within the country. FlightAware, an online flight tracker, has reported that at least 1,048 flights to, from, or within the U.S. had to be canceled due to the storm’s effects.
Among these cancellations, Harry Reid International Airport bore the brunt with 170 flights being grounded, followed by San Diego International Airport with 120 flights, and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport with 66 flights experiencing cancellations.
In addition to the canceled flights, a substantial number of 4,771 U.S. flights faced delays owing to the menacing storm conditions, as highlighted on the FlightAware website.
Tropical Storm Hilary struck the Baja coast of Mexico on Sunday, causing torrential rain to sweep into Southern California. Notably, this event marks the first instance of a tropical storm impacting Southern California in 84 years. With flash flooding warnings in effect, approximately 9 million residents find themselves under threat.
The gravity of the situation has led authorities in California and Nevada to declare states of emergency. Adding to this preparedness, Governor Joe Lombardo of Nevada activated 100 state National Guard members in southern Nevada to brace for the impending storm.
In a communication posted on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, Governor Lombardo urged Nevadans to take necessary precautions. He emphasized the importance of formulating a comprehensive plan ahead of time to ensure the safety of their families and loved ones.
While Tropical Storm Hilary raged on, Southern California’s Ventura County experienced a magnitude 5.1 earthquake on Sunday afternoon, compounding the challenges faced by the region.