Tropical Storm Hilary reaches southern California | First Thing

The first tropical storm to hit southern California in 84 years prompted flash-flood and tornado warnings for the region

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Good morning.

Tropical Storm Hilary made landfall in Mexico yesterday and is now pummelling southern California with wind and rain. It is the first tropical storm to hit the region in 84 years, and experts are predicting life-threatening floods and landslides, with some desert regions expected to receive two to three years' worth of rain in three days.

At least nine rainfall records were broken across California, including in downtown Los Angeles.

Amid flash-flood and tornado warnings, an 5.1-magnitude earthquake hit southern California on Sunday afternoon, and at least five aftershocks were recorded at between 2 and 4 magnitude.