Feature photo courtesy of David McNew/Getty Images.
According to the L.A. Times, the strongest downpours from Hurricane Hilary are from now until about 11 PM PST: “The heaviest rains in Southern California were expected to fall in the mountains and deserts. Riverside and San Bernardino counties, where the worst of the storm was expected to hit, [are] anticipating 5 to 10 inches of rain for their mountains and desert areas.”
In Los Angeles proper, areas to watch for flooding include:
Long Beach, Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Malibu, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Universal City, Downtown Los Angeles, Griffith Park, Culver City, Inglewood, Burbank, North Hollywood, Venice, Santa Monica, Van Nuys, Encino, Manhattan Beach, Alhambra, and Hermosa Beach.
Also keep in mind that in a once-in-a-century flood event, L.A.’s legacy of redlining continues to place Black and Immigrant communities most at risk, as a study conducted by researchers at UC Irvine points out: “Among the areas most at risk are a dense tangle of city neighborhoods intertwined with industrial zones, stretching south of [downtown L.A.] Many of the neighborhoods are clustered around the Los Angeles River, which was excavated and paved decades ago to help prevent flooding.”
Additionally, researchers note: “Whose homes would be flooded is only part of the problem. Inequities are critically important because recovery from floods is often prolonged and incomplete among socially marginalized, low-wealth and vulnerable communities.”
Residents in Los Angeles and Ventura County also felt a moderate earthquake at approximately 2:40 PM today, inspiring reports of a “hurriquake” on X. A subsequent tsunami was not expected, and according to Mayor Bass’ office: “LAFD has completed a survey of the City of Los Angeles following the 5.1M earthquake near Ojai. No damage or injuries were reported.”
Mutual Aid groups in Los Angeles have also called on L.A. city and L.A. County officials to open all “public buildings, hotels, libraries, public transportation hubs, parking structures, recreation centers, public school gyms and facilities, universities, council field offices, and Los Angeles City Hall to shelter unhoused people through the duration of the [hurricane].”
CBS News has published this list of Emergency Shelters in Southern California open during the storm.
J.T.