By Cameron Davis:
In the arid climate of California, Hurricane Hilary made an unexpected impact, first hitting land in Mexico before moving towards Southern California. While hurricanes are rare in California, the last significant one occurred 80 years ago in 1939, devastating numerous homes along the Long Beach coast. According to a New York Times article, the storm claimed approximately 100 lives, including 23 individuals who tragically perished when a fishing boat capsized. In just 24 hours, 5 inches of rain fell, destroying 70% of Coachella Valley's crops and causing $2 million in damages, equivalent to $44 million today.
Fast forward to 2023, when Hurricane Hilary approached Southern California. On August 19, Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency as residents prepared for the impending storm. Although the hurricane weakened from a category two to a category one as it moved northward, the region still experienced winds of up to 90 miles per hour and significant flooding. Fortunately, as Hurricane Hilary continued its northward trajectory, it diminished from a hurricane to a "tropical storm" and eventually to a "post-tropical cyclone" before making landfall in Southern California on August 21.
The Palm Springs region recorded a substantial 2.64 inches of rain, a stark contrast to the usual average of 0.14 inches for the month of August. In less than 24 hours, the city received more precipitation than it typically would throughout an entire year. Mayor Grace Elena Garner of Palm Springs issued a statement on "Face the Nation," urging residents to stay put due to the severe weather conditions. She emphasized that even an inch or two of rain in the desert can cause significant damage. Flooding, mudslides, and flash floods wreaked havoc on the city, leaving residents in an unprecedented situation, especially as 911 lines were down.
The occurrence of a hurricane in California is uncommon, primarily due to the region's dry air in contrast to the humid weather on the East Coast. So, what led to hurricanes unexpectedly affecting the West Coast? Several factors contribute to such a tropical storm occurring in a non-tropical climate. Firstly, the natural phenomenon known as El Niño, characterized by a band of warm ocean water in the central and east-central equatorial Pacific, played a role. Secondly, the looming threat of climate change finally manifested its consequences. A large mass of hot air in the middle region of the country diverted the storm from its typical path towards the East Coast.
Furthermore, the issue of homelessness remains prevalent in Los Angeles, a problem that the city has been grappling with for years and cannot be ignored. With approximately 75,000 unhoused individuals in Los Angeles County, the number continues to rise. Consequently, both the homeless community and the rest of Southern California faced an unprecedented situation, with the unhoused population having to find shelter to weather the storm. Thankfully, in preparation for the hurricane, the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority worked in collaboration with the Mayor's office and the Los Angeles County's Homeless Initiative to safely relocate all unhoused individuals to shelters with beds starting from August 17. Ultimately, 374 individuals and 104 families were accommodated in emergency storm shelters, where they were provided with motel vouchers, water, cots, and towels.
Now that the storm has passed, significant efforts are required to restore Southern California to its former beauty. Numerous crews worked tirelessly for 24 hours after the storm to clean up debris and assist citizens in finding their way home. Although the rain has subsided, caution must still be exercised while traveling across areas prone to mudslides.
Southern California experienced its first significant hurricane since 1939, and although it thrust us into an unfamiliar situation, we emerged resilient. Through unity and rebuilding, we have begun the process of restoring our cities.
Photo Credit: Mark J. Terrill