West Hollywood Warns of Possible Heavy Storms as Hurricane Hilary Approaches

The City of West Hollywood is getting the word out that state and local officials are closely monitoring the development of Hurricane Hilary in the Pacific Ocean as it may have significant impacts on Southern California in the coming days. The City of West Hollywood is urging community members to prepare for heavy rains and storm conditions.

Hurricane Hilary has grown in strength off the coast of Mexico’s Pacific Coast and the National Hurricane Center has issued its first-ever Tropical Storm Watch for Southern California. The storm system is anticipated to make landfall in Southern California as a tropical storm between San Diego and Los Angeles late Sunday, August 20, 2023, and early Monday, August 21, 2023. A flood watch warning for Los Angeles County, Ventura, and Catalina Island has been put into effect starting Sunday afternoon through Monday evening and officials warn that the tropical system may bring rare and dangerous flash flooding and storm-force winds to communities across Southern California.

To assist community members in preparations, the City is offering free sand-filled sandbags to West Hollywood residents and businesses in anticipation of potentially heavy precipitation and flood conditions. Sandbags will be available for pick-up at the City of West Hollywood’s Operations Center on Saturday, August 19, 2023, and Sunday, August 20, 2023, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at 7317 Romaine Street at Fuller Avenue on a first-come first-served basis while supplies last. Additional locations throughout Los Angeles County are also distributing sandbags; contact the Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management Duty Officer at (323) 459-3779 for more information.

In preparation for the arrival of forecasted storm conditions, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department West Hollywood Station has issued a Nixle Advisory to assist community members with preparedness tips and information.

In addition, 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.

The City of West Hollywood has cancelled certain weekend programming and will shut certain City facilities due to forecasted storm conditions, including:

• 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.
• The West Hollywood Aquatic Center swimming pool and all aquatics programming will be shut on Sunday, August 20, 2023.
• The Automated Parking Garage at West Hollywood City Hall will be shut on Sunday, August 20, 2023.
• Transit services such as The PickUp and Cityline are anticipated to operate as regularly scheduled, however, schedules and service hours may be modified to respond to public safety concerns; any changes or updates will be posted at www.weho.org/transit.
• Closures may be extended as needed to respond to public safety concerns.

In an abundance of caution, the City of West Hollywood is taking a number of precautionary steps in order to prepare for the storm, including taking down all outdoor flags throughout the City beginning on Saturday, August 19, 2023,, and securing furniture and other equipment at City facilities. The City’s Facilities and Field Services Division will have extra staff on-call to respond to trees/public right-of-way emergencies and the Los Angeles County Fire Department will have augmented staffing in place and ready for tactical deployment if necessary.

To report storm-related issues in the City of West Hollywood, call (323) 848-6516. For more information about structural damage or potential hillside slope movement, please contact the City’s Building and Safety Division at (323) 848-6320. Report gas leaks or damage to the Southern California Gas Company by calling (800) 427-2200. To report a power outage, call Southern California Edison at (800) 611-1911. Report downed power lines or other emergencies by calling 911.

For specific up-to-date weather details, please visit the National Weather Service website. In the event of a major incident in Los Angeles County, information will be available at a County of Los Angeles Emergency Information website.

Stay prepared and informed by opting-in to Nixle alerts by texting your ZIP code to 888777. Subscribe to ‘Alert LA County’ emergency notifications by

email or text message at https://ready.lacounty.gov/alerts.