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Hurricane Hilary live updates: Category 4 storm barrels toward California
The latest news and live updates on Hurricane Hilary, which has grown into a Category 4 hurricane expected to bring strong winds and rain this week.
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What to know about the Category 4 storm
Hurricane Hilary strengthened to a Category 4 storm early Friday as it barreled toward California, threatening to bring strong winds and heavy rains to the Southwestern U.S.
The National Weather Service warned the hurricane was expected to bring "significant impacts" to the Southwest this weekend into early next week.
The system reached maximum sustained winds of 140 miles per hour as of early Friday, according to the National Hurricane Center.
If Hilary makes landfall in California as a tropical storm, it will be a rarity. The last time this happened in the past century was in Long Beach in 1939.
Joshua Tree National Park managers will shut down park areas that are vulnerable to extreme flooding in anticipation of Hilary later today.
The closures are expected to go into effect this evening, park officials said.
"Joshua Tree National Park and surrounding communities could experience heavy rainfall and potential heavy flooding," a statement said. The public was advised against driving down Geology Tour Road.
Park officials warned members of the public to "reconsider outdoor activities for this weekend, be prepared to turn around if you experience moving water on roadways and be alert for lightning."