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Recovery Efforts Underway in California After Unprecedented Tropical Storm in 84 Years

by Lucas Garcia
7 comments
fokus keyword: Tropical Storm Hilary

Certainly. Here’s a paraphrased version of the text:

On Tuesday, response teams in Southern California’s mountain and desert towns were hard at work, removing mud and wreckage after the region’s first tropical storm in 84 years.

The weather system began to wane as it moved across the Rocky Mountains.

California’s arid areas, including the stark Death Valley, experienced record rainfall from Tropical Storm Hilary, which marked its most substantial single-day rainfall ever on Sunday.

Flooding was observed as Hilary continued northeast into Nevada, leaving approximately 400 households in the Mount Charleston region without power and under a boil-water notice, located about 40 miles (64 kilometers) west of Las Vegas.

Hilary previously hit Mexico’s dry Baja California Peninsula as a hurricane, leading to one death and extensive flooding, later being downgraded to a tropical storm. Thankfully, California hasn’t reported any fatalities, severe injuries, or significant damages, but the search continues for one missing individual in a rural mountain area.

In Cathedral City, near Palm Springs, an extraordinary rescue took place where rescue officials drove a bulldozer to a flooded care home, rescuing 14 residents in a way that Fire Chief Michael Contreras described as unprecedented in his 34-year career.

The city carried out 46 rescues in total from late Sunday night to Monday afternoon, with water standing up to 5 feet (1.5 meters) high.

This latest climate-linked catastrophe adds to a series of disasters across North America. Other events include the deadliest U.S. wildfire in over 100 years in Hawaii’s Maui, and Canada’s worst fire season ever recorded.

Factors such as warm water and air significantly contributed to Hilary’s rapid growth, leading it to an unusual path, bringing rain to typically arid regions. This rainfall might deter wildfires temporarily in Southern California, but widespread rain is not foreseen in the most fire-sensitive areas, according to a briefing by climate scientist Daniel Swain.

Southern California and parts of Nevada experienced flooding and mudslides, while heavy rain led to disruptions at the annual Burning Man festival.

The storm also broke daily rainfall records in San Diego and drenched Death Valley National Park, forcing its closure and leaving about 400 people seeking shelter until roads were cleared.

Sunday’s rain marked a historical record with 2.2 inches falling in the desert, as stated by senior meteorologist John Adair of NWS Las Vegas.

The last time a tropical storm hit California was in September 1939, causing significant destruction and nearly 100 deaths.

In related news, Tropical Storm Harold made landfall on the South Texas coast on Tuesday, expected to bring wind gusts of up to 50 mph (80 kmh) and 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 centimeters) of rain, with isolated amounts of up to 6 inches (15 centimeters), in South Texas through Wednesday.

The reporting was contributed to by Antczak and Stefanie Dazio from Los Angeles and Watson from San Diego. Additional reporters included Eugene Garcia in Cathedral City; Ken Ritter in Las Vegas; Freida Frisaro in Fort Lauderdale, Florida; and Scott Sonner in Reno, Nevada.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about fokus keyword: Tropical Storm Hilary

Certainly. Here are some FAQs for the provided text:

What areas were affected by Tropical Storm Hilary?

Southern California’s mountain and desert towns, including Death Valley, were heavily affected, along with neighboring Nevada. The storm also previously hit Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula.

When was the last time a tropical storm hit California before Hilary?

The last tropical storm to hit California occurred in September 1939. Hilary was the first tropical storm to strike the region in 84 years.

What were the rescue efforts during Tropical Storm Hilary?

Among the rescue efforts was a remarkable rescue in Cathedral City, where officials drove a bulldozer through mud to a flooded care home, saving 14 residents. A total of 46 rescues were performed by the city during the storm.

Did Tropical Storm Hilary cause any fatalities or extreme damages in California?

No deaths, serious injuries, or extreme damages have been reported in California, although officials were searching for one missing person in a rural mountain community.

How did the storm affect Death Valley?

Death Valley experienced its single-rainiest day on record during Tropical Storm Hilary, leading to the closure of Death Valley National Park and the sheltering of about 400 people.

How has Tropical Storm Hilary impacted other events, such as the Burning Man festival?

The annual Burning Man counterculture festival experienced disruptions due to the storm. Heavy rain turned the typically dry lakebed into mud, causing the entrance gates to close temporarily.

Was California the only state affected by the storm?

No, as Hilary moved northeast, it also affected the state of Nevada. Flooding was reported, and a boil-water order was issued for about 400 households in the Mount Charleston area, which is about 40 miles west of Las Vegas.

What record did the storm break in San Diego?

Hilary shattered daily rain records in San Diego, and also dumped the equivalent of a full year’s worth of rain on Death Valley National Park.

Were there any other tropical storms during the same period?

Yes, Tropical Storm Harold made landfall on the South Texas coast on Tuesday, bringing wind gusts and rain to areas along the U.S.-Mexico border.

What are the possible long-term effects of the wet weather on wildfires?

The wet weather might temporarily stave off wildfires in Southern California and parts of the Sierra Nevada, but widespread rain is not expected in the most fire-prone areas, according to a University of California climate scientist.

More about fokus keyword: Tropical Storm Hilary

  • Tropical Storm Hilary’s Impact on California
  • Historical Records of Tropical Storms in California
  • Rescue Efforts in Cathedral City during Hilary
  • Weather Patterns and Climate-Related Disasters in North America
  • Death Valley National Park’s Closure Due to Hilary
  • Disruptions at the Burning Man Festival
  • NWS Las Vegas Meteorological Data and Records
  • Information on Tropical Storm Harold’s Landfall in South Texas

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7 comments

Rebecca Taylor August 23, 2023 - 9:34 am

I used to live near Death Valley, never seen it rain like that. This is so unusual. Whats next?

Reply
Sara O'Connell August 23, 2023 - 10:36 am

My friend was supposed to be at Burning Man. They had to wait outside coz of the rain. who would’ve thought a desert festival would get rained out?

Reply
Kevin Harris August 23, 2023 - 1:08 pm

Can somebody please tell me more about the historical storm in 1939? i want to know how bad it was compared to Hilary.

Reply
Timothy Clark August 23, 2023 - 1:47 pm

Hats off to the firefighters and rescue teams out there! Saving 14 residents with a bulldozer. incredible

Reply
Maria Gonzalez August 23, 2023 - 3:49 pm

this is realy scary! I hope everyone stays safe and they find the missing person.

Reply
James Walker August 24, 2023 - 2:15 am

Climate change is no joke people, this is just the beginning. We need to start taking care of our planet before its too late.

Reply
John Smith August 24, 2023 - 3:38 am

Can’t believe this is the first storm in California in 84 years, what’s happening with the weather these days? just doesn’t make sense.

Reply

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