Southern California prepares for more floods as post-Tropical Storm Hilary brings more rain

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Southern California is bracing for additional floods as the aftermath of Tropical Storm Hilary brings more rain to the region. The storm inundated dry areas of Mexico and then soaked Southern California from the coastline to Palm Springs and the inland mountains. Rescuers were compelled to save multiple individuals from swollen rivers due to the heavy rainfall. Even as the storm diminishes along the coast, it is anticipated that there will be flooding and mudslides across parts of the southwestern United States.

Initially, Tropical Storm Hilary hit the arid Baja California Peninsula in Mexico, causing flooding in sparsely populated areas. It subsequently moved through Tijuana, a region prone to mudslides, and posed a threat to homes constructed on the hillsides near the U.S. border.

This marks the first time in 84 years that a tropical storm has struck Southern California. Hilary delivered an amount of rain that surpassed half of the average annual precipitation in certain areas. For instance, Palm Springs received nearly 3.18 inches of rain by Sunday evening.

The National Hurricane Center reclassified Hilary as a post-tropical storm in its early Monday advisory, but still cautioned about the potential for life-threatening flooding and mudslides in parts of the southwestern U.S. Coastal warnings were lifted.

Weather forecasters issued warnings about the risk of flash floods in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties. Firefighters rescued 13 people from the rising San Diego River, where a homeless encampment was situated in knee-deep water. Rain and debris caused road closures, leaving some cars stranded in standing water. Efforts were made to pump floodwaters out of the emergency room at the Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage.

San Diego experienced its wettest day on record, with 1.82 inches of rain, surpassing the previous record set in 1977 by post-Hurricane Doreen.

The Los Angeles Unified School District, as well as other districts in the region, announced the closure of all campuses on Monday due to the weather conditions. In addition, the start of classes in San Diego was postponed by a day.

Emergency services faced challenges as 911 lines were down in Palm Springs, prompting authorities to encourage residents to reach out via text message or visit nearby police or fire stations.

Although the storm was expected to weaken as it moved northward through California and into Nevada, experts still warned of heavy rain and strong winds.

In an unexpected turn, Southern California was hit by a magnitude 5.1 earthquake on Sunday afternoon, centered near Ojai. The earthquake was widely felt and followed by smaller aftershocks, but no major damage or injuries were immediately reported.

Tropical Storm Hilary is the latest in a series of severe climate-related disasters affecting the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. These include wildfires in Hawaii and Canada, as well as a devastating blaze in Maui.

As the storm approached Mexico, one fatality occurred due to a vehicle being swept away by a swollen stream, and rescue efforts were put in place to help those affected.

The storm systems in the Atlantic Ocean also saw developments, with one becoming Tropical Storm Emily and another becoming Tropical Storm Franklin. These systems prompted storm watches to be issued for certain coastal areas.

Reflecting on history, a tropical storm in 1939 had catastrophic impacts on California, causing significant destruction and resulting in numerous fatalities both on land and at sea.

Reporting on this event came from various sources including Ensenada, Mexico; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; St. Petersburg, Florida; Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; Mexico City; San Diego; Los Angeles; and Phoenix.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Floods

More about Floods

• Tropical Storm Hilary: Causes and Impact
• Southern California Floods: Rescue Operations
• Historical Comparison: Previous Tropical Storm in 1939
• Emergency Preparedness: Communication During 911 Outages
• Tropical Storms Emily and Franklin Develop in Atlantic