“As you all know, Hurricane Hilary moved into Southern California as a tropical storm this past weekend,” reported West Hollywood City Manager David Wilson, at a Regular City Council Meeting on Monday, August 21, 2023. “It brought heavy rain and storm conditions to the region and to West Hollywood. I’m happy to report that the impacts in West Hollywood were minimal.”
Wilson reported that residents, businesses and community members heeded the call to prepare in advance for the storm throughout the weekend. He said city employees worked around the clock on a series of emergency preparedness steps that helped to safeguard the community.
West Hollywood the day after Storm Hilary – Photo by Mike Pingel
West Hollywood the day after Storm Hilary – Photo by Mike Pingel
“We offered sandbags, distributed advisory information, created a website for storm updates, posted storm social media alerts, canceled certain programming, shut down some facilities, lifted parking regulations, cleared storm drains, and worked with the sheriff, County Fire, neighboring cities, LA County, utility companies and our nonprofit service providers to ensure that our residents, businesses and unhoused community members were taken care of,” he said during his comments. “Thank you to everyone on the city staff and our community safety partners for an effective and comprehensive response to the storm and to yesterday’s earthquake as well.”
The City of West Hollywood cancelled certain weekend programming this past weekend that have been rescheduled, such as the Summer Sounds free outdoor concert originally planned for Sunday, August 20, 2023 at Plummer Park has been rescheduled to take place on Sunday, August 27, 2023.
In the event of another storm, West Hollywood community members should stay prepared by taking the following precautions:
- Keep emergency supplies, such as a flashlight, water, food, a first-aid kit, portable radio, and extra batteries on-hand and easily accessible.
- Clear drains and rain gutters on your property and dispose of all trash and yard trimmings properly to avoid blocking drains.
- Know how to turn off utilities.
- Monitor forecasts to be aware of weather that may impact the area.
- Prepare for high winds by securing items such as outdoor furniture, gas grills and propane tanks or bringing these items indoors.
- Prepare for power outages by having cell phones and other devices charged and, during a power outage, turn off all appliances and keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed to prevent food spoilage.
- Do not use generators indoors.
- Avoid downed and hanging power lines.
- In an emergency, call 911.
Community members can review detailed information related to the storm visit www.weho.org/storm where community members can get the latest updates.
We dodged a bullet! I found the whole experience super refreshing/lucky! The last time I remember it raining in the dry season was in the 1990s! Unfortunately, next year’s “bullet” is already in the chamber. C U Next Year!