Hurricane Hilary swept Southern California with another surprise – a 5.1 magnitude earthquake. This quake, the epicenter located northwest of Los Angeles, swiftly trended on social media as #hurriquake. Thankfully, the earthquake did not bring about widespread damage. Similarly, Hilary has since lessened to a post-tropical cyclone.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass directed over 100 fire stations to inspect buildings for damage. Bass confirmed through a tweet that initial reports revealed no structural damage or injuries due to the quake. Interestingly, Dr. Lucy Jones, a seismologist, mentioned to NBC News that an earthquake of this magnitude had hit Ojai in 1932. She also predicted the likelihood of more aftershocks in the days to come.
Meanwhile, residents found themselves in a state of confusion as both natural disasters coincided. BBC News reporter Regan Morris narrated her experience receiving the emergency alert on her phone. She recalled her neighbor’s panic and the chaos within her community. Footage from a supermarket during the quake showed items toppling over and people fleeing.
As residents grappled with the earthquake, post-tropical cyclone Hilary continued to pose significant threats. The National Hurricane Service predicted ‘historic’ rainfall, potentially causing catastrophic flooding and landslides. In response, California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency. The governor also deployed over 7,500 troops to help the public prepare for the approaching storm.
Parts of San Bernadino County were evacuated due to the storm’s intensity. The National Weather Service warned of potential life-threatening floods in Ventura County, where almost two inches of rain fell in just two hours.
The storm also brought unprecedented rainfall to areas typically considered to be desert plains. Due to the aridity of these regions, experts warn of a greater risk of flash floods once rainfall hits. It became a reality in Palm Springs, where the heaviest hour of rain occurred. Similarly, Death Valley, infamous for its high temperatures, experienced heavy rainfall.
For the residents of Southern California, this concurrence of a tropical storm and an earthquake is a baffling event. As CBS News reporter Jason Allen says, “This is unprecedented.”
