Hurricane Hilary is expected to bring catastrophic and life-threatening flooding to Mexico's Baja California peninsula and large parts of southwestern United States. The storm, which was downgraded to a Category 3 hurricane with winds of approximately 125 mph, has already begun to unleash heavy rain on Mexico, triggering flash flood warnings. The city of Tijuana, known for its vulnerability to landslides and flooding, is particularly concerned about the potential devastation. With thousands of migrants living in precarious conditions on the streets, the risk is heightened. Mexican authorities have issued a tropical storm warning for mainland areas and deployed 18,000 soldiers in preparation for the storm.

As Hurricane Hilary heads towards Southern California, it is expected to weaken to a tropical storm, but it will still be the first tropical storm to make landfall in the region since 1939. The National Weather Service has warned that this storm could be the wettest tropical cyclone in California's history. Nevada and Arizona are also bracing for record-setting rainfall, with some areas potentially receiving 10 inches of rain. The areas most likely to be impacted by flooding are Western Arizona, Southern California, and Southern Nevada. Death Valley is also at risk, with the possibility of receiving a year's worth of rain from the storm.

The forecasted rainfall is unprecedented for this time of year in Southern California and comes after a series of extreme weather events earlier this spring that caused widespread flooding. Officials in Los Angeles and other cities are rushing to get the homeless population off the streets and setting up shelters for those in need. Major League Baseball games have been rescheduled, and national parks, including Joshua Tree National Park and Mojave National Preserve, have been closed to the public.

President Biden has assured the affected regions that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has positioned personnel and supplies to respond to the storm. He urged everyone in the storm's path to take precautions and follow the guidance of state and local officials.

Hurricane Hilary formed off the coast of Manzanillo, Mexico, on Wednesday and rapidly gained strength, becoming a Category 4 hurricane before being downgraded. It is currently centered approximately 233 miles west of the southern tip of the Baja peninsula and is moving north-northwest. The storm is expected to make landfall along a sparsely populated area of the Baja peninsula, south of Ensenada. As it continues northward, there are concerns about dangerous flooding in Tijuana, where many homes are built on steep hillsides.

The impact of Hurricane Hilary is not limited to Mexico and California. Southern Nevada and Arizona are also preparing for the storm's arrival, with authorities providing sandbags to protect properties against potential flooding. The region is bracing for once-in-a-century rains, with the possibility of Nevada breaking its rainfall record.

In Southern California, officials are reinforcing sand berms along the coast to protect low-lying communities from the incoming storm surge. Residents are also preparing for heavy rain and potential landslides. Some schools in Cabo San Lucas are being converted into temporary shelters, and police in La Paz have closed beaches to prevent people from entering the dangerous surf.

Overall, Hurricane Hilary poses a significant threat to both Mexico and the southwestern United States, with the potential for catastrophic flooding and widespread damage. Residents and officials are taking all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of the affected populations.