While Southern California was taking shelter from Hurricane Hilary, a magnitude 5.1 earthquake struck, originating northwest of Los Angeles. The social media hashtag #hurriquake began trending due to this combination of natural disasters.
Fortunately, the earthquake caused minimal damage, and Hurricane Hilary was downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass reported that over 100 fire stations were inspecting buildings for any harm.
According to Seismologist Dr. Lucy Jones, this earthquake’s location near Ojai was noteworthy as it marked the first time a magnitude five quake occurred there since 1932. Dr. Jones also cautioned that more aftershocks could be expected in the coming days.
The earthquake coincided with post-tropical cyclone Hilary, leaving residents unsure about seeking cover. The storm caused heavy rainfall in typically arid areas, leading to flash flooding. California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency, deploying over 7,500 troops to assist with storm preparations.
This unprecedented weather event surprised many residents, including those in desert regions like Palm Springs and Death Valley. The storm’s intensity and impact were both unexpected and confusing for locals.
