Multiple cruise ships have adjusted their routes to avoid Hurricane Hilary as it approached Mexico's Baja California peninsula on Sunday, August 20th. The Category 1 storm is anticipated to bring significant rainfall and potentially severe flooding across a wide area until Monday.
The National Hurricane Center noted that while Hilary had weakened, it still posed a danger. The storm was close to the western coast of Baja California, ~285 mi / ~460 km away from San Diego. Its sustained wind speed had decreased from 85 to 80 mph (137 to 129 kmh).
Meteorologists predicted that Hilary would weaken further into a tropical storm before reaching southern California, causing flash floods, strong winds, isolated tornadoes, and power disruptions. Consequently, various cruise lines have altered their plans to avoid the hurricane's worst effects.
CCL-Carnival Cruise Line adjusted Carnival Panorama's schedule for a 7-day cruise that began in Long Beach/LA on Saturday. The ship's stops were rearranged, with Cabo San Lucas visited on Tuesday instead of Puerto Vallarta, while Mazatlan's Wednesday call is canceled in favor of Puerto Vallarta.
RCI-Royal Caribbean's Navigator of the Seas rescheduled its visit to Ensenada to ensure it could steer clear of the storm's projected path.
Princess Cruises' ship Emerald Princess decided to include a stop in Ensenada before returning to Los Angeles earlier than originally planned.
Hilary had already brought heavy rainfall and flooding to Mexico and the southwestern United States as it neared on Saturday. It was projected to reach southern California on Sunday afternoon, marking the state's first encounter with a tropical storm in 84 years.
In response, California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency on Saturday and encouraged residents to take necessary precautions.