(TNS) - The warning sounded around 10 a.m. Saturday — a shrill cellphone chime advising thousand of residents and visitors to evacuate Santa Catalina Island ahead of Tropical Storm Hilary's anticipated arrival. "Due to a forecast of storm impacts and possibly prolonged utility outages, Catalina Island residents and visitors, especially those with medical, access and functional needs, are advised to leave the island on August 19," read the advisory from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. "Asked about the emergency preparedness plan for the Catalina Islands, the county departments said there were "numerous" emergency preparedness plans for the area. They added that the city of Avalon was working on obtaining grant money to create a "comprehensive emergency procedure manual. "Many residents on Catalina have family and friends on Maui, he said.

Source: Los Angeles Times August 23, 2023 16:38 UTC