Climate
Golden State survives Tropical Storm Hilary and 5.1 magnitude earthquake with no death toll
No deaths or major storm damage have since been reported in the Los Angeles area although other area municipalities are still assessing the damage
August 21, 2023 1:03pm
Updated: August 21, 2023 1:03pm
Tropical Storm Hilary weakened to a post-tropical cyclone Monday morning, leaving behind a new record for Southern California rainfall, according to meteorological and news reports.
Southern Californians enduring the most powerful storm in decades also faced a 5.1 magnitude earthquake from Ventura County just north of the City of Angels.
No deaths or major storm damage have since been reported in the Los Angeles area although other area municipalities are still assessing the damage, according to Mayor Karen Bass and L.A. Emergency Operations Center.
On Sunday, the U.S. Geological Survey warned people in Ojai and surrounding areas about aftershocks following the quake. Officials said there have already been at least 4 aftershocks of magnitude 3 or higher.
“According to our forecast, there is a 8% chance of one or more aftershocks that are larger than magnitude 5, which can be damaging, within the next week,” the USGS warned.
“There will likely be smaller aftershocks within the next week, with up to 16 magnitude 3 or higher aftershocks. Magnitude 3 and higher aftershocks are large enough to be felt nearby. The number of aftershocks will decrease over time, but a large aftershock can temporarily increase the number of aftershocks.”
The earthquake’s struck closest to Ojai, a town located 80 miles northwest of Los Angeles known for being the film location in the popular 2010 Emma Stone Scarlet Letter satire, “Easy A.”
The quake struck just as Hilary’s thunderous rains swept through the Southern California area.
It was the first time the National Weather Service and National Hurricane Center issued a tropical storm warning for that area.
Flash flood warnings began expiring Monday morning and government officials said the city effectively dodged a bullet.
“For most cities, Los Angeles was tested, but we came through it, and we came through it with minimal impacts,” said Los Angeles City Council President Paul Krekorian.
Meteorologists warned that poor drainage in Southern California mountain and desert regions could leave some roads impassable. A 20 mile section of Interstate 10 near the resort town of Palm Springs was shut down on Monday morning, according to a report published by The Desert Sun.
Parts of Mono and Inyo counties near the California-Nevada border also remained under flash flood warnings as up to four additional inches of rain was expected Monday across parts of California and Nevada while flood watches remained in effect for eastern Oregon and most of Idaho.
