Hurricane Hilary: California EVACUATION notices issued, flash flood alerts activated storm surge

Hurricane Hilary has prompted historic weather alerts in California as millions across the Southwest begin to see initial impacts from the storm.

The worst effects are expected to impact the region over the next 48 hours, as the cyclone unleashes catastrophic, life-threatening flooding.

On Saturday, the hurricane weakened to Category 2. That trend is expected to continue with landfall on the Mexican coast within the next 24 hours, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC).

More than 42 million people are under the first-ever Tropical Storm Warning that has been issued in Southern California. It covers areas along the coast from Los Angeles to the U.S.-Mexico border, including San Diego. It also extends inland to places such as Victorville, San Bernardino, Palm Springs and Mount Laguna.