Tropical Storm Hilary - Documenting the Deluge

Join us as we document the impacts of Tropical Storm Hilary, which brought historic flooding to Southern California in August 2023.

Starting in Long Beach, we see communities band together to fill sandbags and build barricades along the coast to hold back the storm surge. But as Hilary moves inland, flash flooding hits the desert border towns and washes mud and debris onto Interstate 10 near Palm Springs.

Ride along as we drive through neighborhoods turned into rivers, wake up stranded drivers on the flooded interstate, and survey the damage left behind. From preparations along the coast to cars stuck in desert flood waters, this intense storm gives Southern California a taste of tropical weather rarely seen in the region.

With interviews from locals, see how SoCal responds to this record-breaking flood event. Hilary was only the fourth tropical storm or hurricane on record to stay intact upon reaching California (1997 Nora, 1939 Long Beach tropical storm, and the 1858 San Diego hurricane) and the most significant in over 80 years!!!