Los Angeles Drenched by Hilary: Was it Biblical Proportions, or Just a Soggy Sprain?
Ah, Los Angeles. Land of sunshine, celebrities, and... surprisingly little rain. But fear not, weather weenies and drought disciples, for August 2023 brought a surprise guest: Tropical Storm Hilary. And Hilary, bless her stormy heart, decided to give LA a much-needed shower.
Rain, Rain, Go Away... Unless You're Hilary!
Now, Los Angeles isn't exactly built for deluges. We have sprinklers for lawns, not raincoats for closets. So, when Hilary rolled in, things got interesting.
- Mount Wilson Wins the Puddle Olympics: This champion peak soaked up a whopping 8.5 inches over two days, leaving hikers dreaming of gondolas instead of trails.
- Downtown L.A. Makes History (the Soggy Kind): Forget pool parties, downtowners were splashing in puddles as Sunday became the wettest August day ever recorded, with a respectable 2.48 inches.
- Beach Bums Get a Break (from the Sun): Even our sun-worshipping friends at LAX weren't spared. They got a cool 2.54 inches, which probably felt like a waterfall in those neck of the woods.
So, How Much Rain Did We Get Exactly?
Here's the thing: LA is a sprawling metropolis, and rain can be a fickle beast. Some areas, like Hollywood Reservoir, were practically swimming in 4.92 inches, while others, like poor Long Beach, got a slightly less impressive 2.62 inches.
Did Hilary Break Any Records?
You bet your rain boots she did! Palm Springs, a desert city that usually sees about as much rain as a mermaid convention, got hammered with nearly 3.18 inches, which is practically a tropical vacation for that part of the world.
Basically, Hilary was like that friend who shows up to your pool party with a monsoon cloud. Some places got soaked, others got sprinkled, but everyone at least got a chance to dust off their umbrellas (or, more likely, frantically search for one on Amazon Prime).
The Verdict: Did LA Survive the Hilary-cane?
Los Angeles weathered the storm (pun intended) pretty well. Sure, there was some flooding, some traffic chaos, and a whole lot of damp laundry, but overall, we emerged with a slightly greener landscape and a renewed appreciation for indoor activities.
So, next time you hear thunder in LA, don't panic. It's probably just Hilary (or maybe her equally dramatic cousin, Tropical Storm Harold) paying us another visit. Just grab your pool noodles and inflatable flamingo, because in LA, even the rain comes with a touch of Hollywood flair.
