The winter’s first big storms dumped 7.03 inches of rain over downtown Los Angeles on Sunday and Monday, according to the National Weather Service, shattering daily rainfall records.
The 2.93 inches of rain downtown Los Angeles saw on Monday exceeded the record last set in 1901 by 0.63 inches. The combined totals for both days accounted for nearly half of the season’s average rainfall for the region.
The effects of the storm were seen and felt throughout Boyle Heights with some small businesses temporarily closing for the day and some intersections inundated with water.
Following the issuance of emergency declarations by Governor Gavin Newsom and the county, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass issued a city-wide state of emergency Monday to address the risk of flooding and ensure resources for repairs and rescues if needed.
Notwithstanding their third day of storms, Angelenos should expect continued flood watches and advisories throughout Los Angeles County until 1:00 a.m., and dicey conditions while driving, as low visibility and submerged lane markers make commutes more dangerous.
According to the Los Angeles Police Department, officers responded to more than 60 storm-related traffic collisions resulting in injuries across the city on Monday and Los Angeles Fire responded to over 130 flooding incidents over the last two days.
Los Angeles School District schools remained open during the deluge, but saw a drop in attendance, as reported by the Los Angeles Times.
In Boyle Heights, debris was scattered across sidewalks and roadways, and a tree was uprooted by the high winds in Hollenbeck Park.
Resident Jenny Hernandez said she and her neighbors have been dealing with multiple leaks in her apartment complex on Cincinnati Street. She said water leaked in through her windows and from her ceiling, something her landlord has been slow to repair.
“It’s been a big chaos. We put buckets of water on the floor and towels on the window,” she said. Hernandez said she’s also had to wake up in the middle of the night to mop up the pooling water in her family’s unit.
Despite the inclement weather, David Flores took the rainy afternoon to fish at Hollenbeck Park Lake. He didn’t let the weather stop him.
“I’ve got my umbrella, I’ll stay out for a bit. If it gets too bad, I’ll probably leave since I already caught one,” Flores said proudly of his catch in a net nearby.
The National Weather Service expects the storms to linger into Wednesday, with the risk of thunder and lightning possible.
