Tropical Storm Hilary has flooded homes and led to a magnitude 5.0 earthquake as it battered Southern California.
After days and warnings and preparations from the emergency services, Storm Hilary hit Baja California in Mexico on Sunday. It left roads resembling rivers and flooded homes before rolling north to the United States.
As Southern California was taking a lashing from the rain, it was hit was hit with a double-whammy in the form of a 5.1 magnitude earthquake with the epicentre in Ojai.
Storm Hilary claimed at least one life in Mexico, reports the LA Times. A person was reportedly drowned when a vehicle was swept away in an overflowing stream.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said: “Right now again, it is critical that Angelenos stay safe and stay home unless otherwise directed by safety officials. Avoid unnecessary travel.
“If you do not need to be on the road, please don’t get in your car. Make sure your emergency kit and essential devices are on hand and ensure that all of your devices are charged in the event of life-threatening emergency.”
On Sunday afternoon, the Los Angeles Unified School District confirmed schools would not be open on Monday. This is to ensure campuses can be inspected once the storm passes.
Meanwhile Joe Biden confirmed the Federal Emergency Management Agency had been deployed to California and the US Coast Guard placed on alert. He wanted “federal personnel and supplies that can be surged to impacted communities” hit by the storm.
Across California, residents usually hit by flooding rushed to buy batteries and water while filling their sandbags. It led to panic buying in some stores across the state.
The storm also brought with it a number of road closures across California. These included a section of Pacific Coast Highway in Huntington Beach and truck lane connectors from the 5 Freeway to Highway 14.
Major theme parks were also hit. Knott’s Berry Farm and Six Flags Magic Mountain closed, with Disneyland announced it would shut its doors early.
