As rain began to fall in Los Angeles on Sunday, residents were urged to remain indoors due to the approaching Tropical Storm Hilary. Heavy downpours and flooding were expected later in the day. This marked the first time in history that Southern California was under a tropical storm watch, prompting Governor Gavin Newsom to declare a State of Emergency. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass activated the city’s Emergency Operations Center at Level 2 in response.
Mayor Bass emphasized the importance of residents staying home, acknowledging that the storm’s timing could change. She stated, “We asked Angelinos to stay inside today. The timing of this could become earlier. We know that storms are moving fast so it could change. So please stay at home.”
Tropical Storm Hilary, previously a hurricane, was weakening off the coast of Baja California. However, it still posed a threat of heavy rain, strong winds, and potential flooding, especially in the mountains and Antelope Valley. The storm was projected to linger in the Southland until Monday morning, clearing out by early afternoon, with the possibility of scattered thunderstorms on Tuesday.
Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Alberto Carvalho would decide later in the day whether to cancel classes on Monday, as announced by Mayor Bass in a briefing at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday.
State and local officials assured the public that additional resources were in place, with utilities fully staffed to address power outages and emergencies. Los Angeles residents were provided with a hotline for reporting outages or water line breakages. For life-threatening emergencies, calling 911 was recommended, while for non-life-threatening impacts like roadway flooding or mudslides, individuals were advised to request assistance online or by calling 311.
Efforts were also made to warn individuals experiencing homelessness about the potential dangers of the extreme weather event. Outreach initiatives were implemented to communicate flood warnings and encourage those at high risk to seek shelter in temporary emergency shelters provided by the city. The Mayor’s Office collaborated with the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority and City Departments in these efforts.
Various shelters were opened in preparation for the storm, and storm provisions, including tarps and emergency blankets, were distributed to those who couldn’t move. Mayor Bass received assurance from Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas regarding federal support availability throughout the storm.
Multiple county parks, buildings, and facilities in Los Angeles County were set to be closed on Sunday and Monday to ensure public safety during the storm. This included picnic shelters, playgrounds, trails, restrooms, botanical gardens, and performance venues.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deployed helicopters to warn unsheltered residents about the potential dangers of the storm in riverbed areas.
Mayor Bass urged Angelenos to register for Notify LA to receive local alerts and follow ReadyLA on social media for updates and resources. She also advised residents to refrain from going to the shoreline and beaches during the storm.
Angelenos could obtain free ready-to-fill sandbags from neighborhood fire stations, and the Department of Water and Power assured customers of their fully staffed restoration crews in case of power outages. Streets L.A., L.A. Sanitation, and the Department of Transportation took measures to ensure operational roads throughout the storm. Animal shelters and specialized rescue teams remained prepared for evacuations or incidents requiring their assistance.
Los Angeles County officials recommended that visitors stay home during the park closures and provided hurricane safety tips and resources on the NOAA website. A 24/7 helpline was set up for DWP customers facing power outages or water main breakages.
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