Current:Home > StocksSouthern California begins major cleanup after Tropical Storm Hilary's "waist-level" rainfall-InfoLens
Southern California begins major cleanup after Tropical Storm Hilary's "waist-level" rainfall
View Date:2024-12-23 11:38:58
Cleanup operations are in full swing across Southern California as communities grapple with the aftermath of Tropical Storm Hilary, which brought historic rainfall to the region.
Crews have been working tirelessly over the past 24 hours to clear mud and debris, rescue stranded residents and try to restore normalcy to areas that hadn't witnessed such intense rain in nearly a century. Some areas saw rainfall totals that almost met their average rainfall total for the year.
"In a matter of three minutes, my whole back, my whole bottom floor was filled up with water to waist level," said Ronald Mendiola, a resident of Cathedral City, a desert city in California's Riverside County.
Mendiola's family of five was stranded on their roof as debris and water rushed through Cathedral City until a good Samaritan rescued them.
Hilary had strengthened into a Category 4 hurricane in the Pacific before crashing ashore in Mexico over the weekend as it barreled north. It later hit California as a tropical storm. In its wake, entire neighborhoods were buried under mud and debris. One person remains unaccounted for. No fatalities have been reported.
Rescue crews have been working diligently to free trapped residents from their homes, sometimes using backhoes to move people to safety. The storm also led to treacherous driving conditions on flooded roads, with several incidents reported.
San Bernardino County firefighters found themselves in a dangerous situation when investigating a rumbling sound, only to be confronted by a massive debris flow — leaving the crew temporarily trapped at their station.
The devastation caused by Hilary extended to Oak Glen, where buildings were severely affected. Kyle McCullough, a resident, said a building his father owned and dreamed of turning into a restaurant has been left gutted due to the waters.
"I don't think we'll be able to fix it," McCullough said.
Despite the challenges, residents like Suzanne Doucette, who has lived in Oak Glen for nine years, are determined to rebuild.
"We'll clean it up. We've done it before, we'll do it again," Doucette said.
Although the rain has subsided in most areas, officials are cautioning about the risk of mudslides and debris flows due to heavily saturated ground.
The storm is now moving northwest and communities in its path are bracing for more rain and the potential for flooding. There is a glimmer of hope that the storm's path might bring relief to fires burning in Washington state.
- In:
- Severe Weather
- Southern California
- Hurricane Hilary
- Flooding
veryGood! (52634)
Related
- Sister Wives' Janelle Brown Details to Meri Why She Can't Trust Ex Kody and His Sole Wife Robyn
- Andy Kim and Curtis Bashaw face off in a New Jersey Senate race opened up by a bribery scandal
- Jury sees video of subway chokehold that led to veteran Daniel Penny’s manslaughter trial
- MVP repeat? Ravens QB Lamar Jackson separating from NFL field yet again
- Research reveals China has built prototype nuclear reactor to power aircraft carrier
- Dawn Staley is more than South Carolina's women's basketball coach. She's a transcendent star.
- New York State Police suspend a trooper while investigating his account of being shot and wounded
- The 2024 election is exhausting. Take a break with these silly, happy shows
- Man who stole and laundered roughly $1B in bitcoin is sentenced to 5 years in prison
- Is fluoride in drinking water safe? What to know after RFK Jr.'s claims
Ranking
- Pistons' Tim Hardaway Jr. leaves in wheelchair after banging head on court
- Pennsylvania election officials weighing in on challenges to 4,300 mail ballot applications
- Saquon Barkley reverse hurdle: Eagles' RB wows coach, fans with highlight reel play
- Taylor Swift Takes Getaway Car to Travis Kelce's Chiefs Game One Day After Eras Tour Milestone
- Skiing legend Lindsey Vonn ends retirement, plans to return to competition
- Ohio sheriff’s lieutenant apologizes for ‘won’t help Democrats’ post, blames sleep medication
- Under lock and key: How ballots get from Pennsylvania precincts to election offices
- Boy Meets World’s Will Friedle Details “Super Intense” Makeout Scene With Ex Jennifer Love Hewitt
Recommendation
-
Stocks soared on news of Trump's election. Bonds sank. Here's why.
-
Investigators charge 4 more South Carolina men in fatal Georgia high school party shooting
-
Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker's Baby Rocky Gets Priceless Birthday Gift From Sylvester Stallone
-
Under lock and key: How ballots get from Pennsylvania precincts to election offices
-
Brian Austin Green’s Fiancée Sharna Burgess Celebrates Megan Fox’s Pregnancy News
-
How to Build Your H&M Fall Capsule Wardrobe: Affordable Essentials to Upgrade Your Style
-
Enrollment increases at most Mississippi universities but 3 campuses see decreases
-
Penn State's James Franklin shows us who he is vs. Ohio State, and it's the same sad story