Hurricane Hilary, an imposing Category 4 storm, is looming, bringing with it the terrifying prospect of "catastrophic and life-threatening flooding" to the Southwest.
– As it approaches, it's predicted to weaken into a tropical storm, but it's moving faster than anyone expected, creating a sense of unease and urgency.
For the first time ever, California has issued a tropical storm warning, stretching from the southern border to just north of Los Angeles.
The forecast calls for heavy rainfall, with some areas potentially receiving more rain in a few days than they typically get in a year, a prospect that's deeply unsettling.
Southern California and Nevada are bracing for 3 to 10 inches of rain, enough to trigger flash floods and dangerous landslides.
Authorities are warning that the storm's powerful winds and rains will arrive ahead of the storm's center, adding to the anxiety.
Preparations are underway, including the deployment of National Guard troops and mobilization of FEMA resources, but the uncertainty is nerve-wracking.
If it hits California as a tropical storm, it will be the first such occurrence in nearly 84 years, an unsettling historical note.
Efforts are being made to reach out to and provide shelter for vulnerable homeless communities, but the impending storm is casting a shadow of fear.
Even the world of sports is not immune, with events being rescheduled due to the looming threat, underscoring the widespread apprehension.
As Hurricane Hilary approaches, there's a palpable sense of unease and concern, with residents and authorities alike grappling with the uncertainty of what's to come.