VENTURA COUNTY, Calif. – A preliminary 5.1-magnitude earthquake was reported in Ventura County Sunday afternoon – and then followed by about a dozen shocks.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the earthquake happened around 2:41 p.m. with a magnitude of 5.1. The quake was reported about 4.3 miles southeast of Ojai with about 9 miles in depth.

The series of shakes knocked over wine bottles at the Westridge Family Markets, a grocery store in Ojai. Thankfully, grocery store workers were able to clean up the mess shortly after the earthquakes hit the area.

LA Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley says there have been no reports of any injuries or severe damage due to the tropical storm. She says a number of reports have been made about power lines down, there have been two debris flows reported in Sherman Oaks and at least one large tree toppled over in Westwood. Tenants of an apartment building in Koreatown reported a partial roof collapse, she says. The city Department of Water and Power is reporting power outages for about 5,000 customers, with Boyle Heights and Hollywood the most impacted areas.

USGS is asking those who felt the two earthquakes to report on the agency’s website.

Earthquake expert Lucy Jones wrote on X that the shaker appeared to have been preceded to a series of foreshocks that began Saturday morning. She said the area will likely continue to experience aftershocks, with a 5% chance of one that will be larger than the initial 5.1-magnitude quake.

“There is no correlation between the earthquake and the tropical storm,” she wrote. “Just a coincidence that is a good reminder thahttps://goodshepherdmedia.net/wp-admin/users.phpt disaster resilience is a multi-hazard endeavor.”

The series of quakes come as Southern California braces for Tropical Storm Hilary. Hilary made landfall in Baja California early Sunday afternoon and is expected to reach California in the evening.

As California awaits possible landfall, the severe weather from Sunday morning and afternoon has already knocked out power for Southern California residents and flooded roads.

Leading up to this weekend, the National Weather Service warned Southern California residents to avoid leaving the house as Hilary moved closer and closer to California.

“Hunker down and take it easy for Sunday and Monday,” the NWS advised Friday. “Stay off the roads.”

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LOS ANGELES – Los Angeles residents were asked to remain indoors Sunday as rain falls ahead of Tropical Storm Hilary making landfall in Southern California, with heavy downpours and flooding expected toward the middle of the day.

As the storm approaches, officials are advising everyone to take the necessary precautions and steps to prepare.

Check the flood risk where you live

Is your home in a flood zone?

Flood zones are areas more at risk for potential flooding during heavy rains.

There are resources available online from two government agencies — the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services – where you can simply type in your address to determine what the risk is where you live. Check out the links below:

• FEMA Flood Map Service Center
• Cal OES MyHazards tool

Prepare your home for flooding

• Sweep and pick up trash, leaves, grass clippings and other debris that collect around storm drains and curb gutters near your home.
• Proactively turn off irrigation to save water and minimize runoff.
• Inspect your property for loose tree branches or trees that could be vulnerable to high winds and rain.
• Place sandbags to divert water and mud away from your home.>> Tap or click here to see where you can get free sandbags near you <<
• Secure outdoor furniture and other items that could be vulnerable to move in high winds and rain.

Have an emergency kit

Build an emergency kit with a gallon of water per person, per day, non-perishable food, a flashlight, battery-powered radio, first aid kit, medications, supplies for infants or pets, a multi-purpose tool, personal hygiene items, copies of important papers, cell phone chargers, extra cash, blankets, maps of the area and emergency contact information.

Flood Advisory vs. Flood Watch

What is the difference between a Flood Watch and a Flood Warning issued by the National Weather Service?

Flash Flood Warning: Take Action! A Flash Flood Warning is issued when a flash flood is imminent or occurring. If you are in a flood prone area move immediately to high ground. A flash flood is a sudden violent flood that can take from minutes to hours to develop. It is even possible to experience a flash flood in areas not immediately receiving rain.

Flood Warning: Take Action! A Flood Warning is issued when the hazardous weather event is imminent or already happening. A Flood Warning is issued when flooding is imminent or occurring.

Flood Advisory: Be Aware: An Flood Advisory is issued when a specific weather event that is forecast to occur may become a nuisance. A Flood Advisory is issued when flooding is not expected to be bad enough to issue a warning. However, it may cause significant inconvenience, and if caution is not exercised, it could lead to situations that may threaten life and/or property.

Flood Watch: Be Prepared: A Flood Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for a specific hazardous weather event to occur. A Flood Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for flooding. It does not mean flooding will occur, but it is possible.

Staying safe during a flood

During a flood, water levels and the rate the water is flowing can quickly change. Remain aware.

Avoid floodwaters at all costs and evacuate immediately when water starts to rise. Don’t wait until it’s too late!

• Stay Informed: Listen to radio and television, including NOAA Weather Radio if possible, check the Internet and social media for information and updates.
• Get to Higher Ground: If you live in a flood prone area or are camping in a low-lying area, get to higher ground immediately.
• Obey Evacuation Orders: If told to evacuate, do so immediately. Lock your home when you leave. If you have time, disconnect utilities and appliances.
• Practice Electrical Safety: Don’t go into a basement, or any room, if water covers the electrical outlets or if cords are submerged. If you see sparks or hear buzzing, crackling, snapping or popping noises–get out! Stay out of water that may have electricity in it!
• Avoid Flood Waters: Don’t walk through floodwaters. It only takes 6 inches of moving water to knock you off your feet. If you are trapped by moving water, move to the highest possible point and call 911 if possible. Do NOT drive into flooded roadways or around a barricade; Turn Around, Don’t Drown! Water may be deeper than it appears and can hide hazards such as sharp objects, washed out road surfaces, electrical wires, chemicals, etc. A vehicle caught in swiftly moving water can be swept away in seconds 12 inches of water can float a car or small SUV, 18 inches of water can carry away large vehicles.

Staying safe during high winds

Take shelter

• Immediately go inside a sturdy building during a high wind warning or severe thunderstorm warning and move to an interior room or basement.
• If you are in a mobile home, move to a sturdy building before the winds pick up or the storm system reaches your location.
• Listen to the local news or NOAA Weather Radio for updates.

If caught outside or driving

• Take shelter in your car if you are not near a sturdy building. If possible, drive to a nearby sturdy building. Otherwise, move your car to a location where it is less likely to be hit by falling trees or power lines.
• If no shelter is available avoid trees, power lines, and the side of the road. Keep in mind that power lines that are laying on the ground may be live. Do not go near them! Try to find a place that will block blowing or falling debris.
• If you are driving and aren’t near a sturdy building, hold the steering wheel with both hands and slow down.
• Keep a distance from high profile vehicles such as trucks, buses and vehicles towing trailers. One strong gust of wind can be enough to flip one of these trailers onto its side. source

Here’s what you can do well in advance of a storm to protect your home

• Keep all trees and shrubs well trimmed.
• Remove any dead trees or limbs now.
• Clean rain gutters and downspouts.
• Make sure your insurance is up to date and you know what your policy covers. Learn whether your property is in a flood-prone area. If so, look for flood insurance.
• Prepare a detailed inventory of all personal property, including invoices for large purchases.
• Take a photo of all personal property and store on a flash drive or in the cloud.
• Check your hurricane shutters.  Make any needed repairs. And don’t forget to make sure you have enough wing nuts now. (and know where they are)
• If you don’t have shutters, purchase plywood in advance and cut them to fit your windows and doors. You’ll be glad you did.
• Another option to shutters or plywood is to consider installing impact glass.
• Stock up on propane cylinders  (or charcoal) if you have a grill.
• Consider purchasing a generator. If you do, install battery-powered, carbon-monoxide detectors inside your home.
• Learn how to shut off your utilities.
• Prepare a safe room, such as an interior bathroom or bedroom, and put your emergency kit there.
• If your house is made of wood, check its structural connections. The roof, walls, floor and foundations must be joined by metal anchors. If you can’t use anchors, then install straps, tensioning cables or additional clips to securely fasten your roof to the frame.
• Install surge protectors to avoid overloading electronic equipment and protect them from power fluctuations.

A hurricane is approaching; here’s what you should do for your home

• Bring in all patio furniture, garbage cans, toys and anything else that is loose.
• Tie down or remove anything that remains outside that could become a deadly missile, including yard debris, solar panels, satellite dishes, antennas and water systems.
• Place valuables and personal papers in a waterproof container on the highest level of your home.
• Cover windows with hurricane shutters or pre-cut plywood.
• Remove blades from exterior ceiling fans.
• If you need sandbags, get them now.
• If you have a generator, make sure you have plenty of gas. Same thing if you have propane cylinders.
• Empty your freezer and refrigerator of all perishables. Cook all raw meat.
• Fill containers or freezer bags with water and freeze them to help keep food cool after power goes out.

Last-minute things to do before a storm arrives

• Wash all dirty laundry and dishes.
• Clean your home.
• Enjoy a hot shower.
• Take all garbage to the closest landfill or recycling center.
• Turn off your icemaker and empty the tray.
• Set your freezer and refrigerator to their coldest settings.
• Turn your air conditioner down low. When power goes off, turn off your a/c.
• Fill your bathtubs with water (can be used to flush toilets, and to wash floors or clothes).
• Charge all mobile devices and computers and put them on low battery mode.
• Pull your car into the garage and gently back it touch the garage door to help prevent it from buckling or failing. If you don’t have a garage, park your vehicle in a safe area and, if necessary, take it to another location away from possible flooding and falling debris.
• Lock the garage from inside using the safety latch and put it on the manual setting.
• Turn off the hot water heater.
• Put all hurricane supplies in one place off the floor.
• Unplug all small appliances to reduce potential damage from power surges.
• Close all interior doors and make sure all exterior doors are locked.

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Hurricane Hilary prompts first-ever tropical storm warning for Southern California; “dangerous” flooding expected

CABO SAN LUCAS, Mexico (AP) — Hurricane Hilary churned off Mexico’s Pacific coast Friday as a powerful Category 4 storm threatening to unleash torrential rains on the mudslide-prone border city of Tijuana before heading into Southern California as the first tropical storm there in 84 years.

Forecasters warned the storm could cause extreme flooding, mudslides and even tornadoes across the region.

Hilary grew rapidly in strength early Friday before losing some steam, with its maximum sustained winds at 130 mph (215 kph) Frday night, down from 145 mph (230 kph). Nevertheless, it was forecast to still be a hurricane when approaching Mexico’s Baja California peninsula on Sunday and a tropical storm when approaching Southern California later in the day.

Major League Baseball rescheduled three Sunday games in Southern California, moving them to Saturday as part of split-doubleheaders. The National Park Service closed Joshua Tree National Park and Mojave National Preserve to keep people from becoming stranded amid flooding. Cities across the region, including in Arizona, were offering sandbags to safeguard properties against floodwaters.

No tropical storm has made landfall in Southern California since Sept. 25, 1939, according to the National Weather Service. The watch was posted for a wide swath of Southern California from the coast to interior mountains and deserts. The U.S. National Hurricane Center warned of potential threats to life and property.

As it moves north, it could bring heavy rains to Tijuana. Mayor Montserrat Caballero Ramirez said the city was tracking the storm closely and clearing out storm drains.

The sprawling border metropolis of 1.9 million people is particularly at risk of landslides and flooding, in part because of its hilly terrain. Shacks are perched on cliffs with little vegetation to hold soil in place. In addition, dozens of people live under tarps on the streets and in canals in flood zones, including migrants who arrive daily from various parts of the world.

The city was setting up four shelters in high-risk zones and warning residents in risky zones, Caballero Ramirez said.

Mexico issued a tropical storm watch for parts of mainland Mexico and put 18,000 soldiers on alert.

On Friday night, Hilary was centered about 285 miles (460 kilometers) southwest of Cabo San Lucas, near the southern tip of the Baja peninsula. It was moving north-northwest at 13 mph (20 kph) and was expected to turn even more northward.

Some Cabo San Lucas schools were being prepared as temporary shelters, said Flora Aguilar, a city official.

It was increasingly likely that Hilary would reach California early Monday while still at tropical storm strength, though widespread rain was expected to begin as early as Saturday, the National Weather Service’s San Diego office said.

Hurricane officials said the storm could bring heavy rainfall to the southwestern United States, dumping 3 to 6 inches (8-15 centimeters) in places, with isolated amounts of up to 10 inches (25 centimeters), in portions of southern California and southern Nevada.

“Two to three inches of rainfall in Southern California is unheard of” for this time of year, said Kristen Corbosiero, a University of Albany atmospheric scientist who specializes in Pacific hurricanes. “That’s a whole summer and fall amount of rain coming in probably six to 12 hours.”

President Joe Biden said the Federal Emergency Management Agency had pre-positioned staff and supplies in the region.

“I urge everyone, everyone in the path of this storm, to take precautions and listen to the guidance of state and local officials,” Biden told reporters Friday at Camp David, where he is meeting with the leaders of Japan and South Korea.

Deputies with the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department announced warnings over public address systems and urged homeless people living in riverbeds and other potentially dangerous areas to move into shelters before the storm hits.

Janice Hahn, chair of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, said planning had been underway for several days, which included evacuation plans for the tourist destination of Santa Catalina Island, off the coast.

“I don’t think any of us — I know me particularly — never thought I’d be standing here talking about a hurricane or a tropical storm,” Hahn said.

Officials in Southern California were also re-enforcing sand berms, built to protect low-lying coastal communities against winter surf, like in Huntington Beach, which dubs itself as “Surf City USA.”

“I mean a lot of people here are excited because the waves are gonna get pretty heavy,” Atkinson said. “But I mean, it’s gonna be some rain, so usually there’s some flooding and the landslides and things like that.”

SpaceX delayed the launch of a satellite-carrying rocket from a base on California’s central coast until at least Monday. The company said conditions in the Pacific could make it difficult for a ship to recover the rocket booster.

Storms don’t usually hit Southern California because prevailing winds usually push them either due west into open ocean or northeastward into Mexico and other parts of the U.S. Southwest, according to experts.

That’s unlikely to happen with Hilary mostly because of a high pressure heat dome that is expected to bring triple digit heat indices in the Midwest and block the eastern turn, Masters said.

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Watson reported from San Diego. Associated Press writers Seth Borenstein in Washington, Maria Verza and Mark Stevenson in Mexico City, John Antczak in Los Angeles, and Eugene Garcia in Newport Beach, California, contributed to this report. source

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