Southern California could soon experience a highly unusual weather event as a tropical storm looms closer to its coastline. Hurricane Hilary, currently swirling off the coast of Mexico, is projected to approach the Baja California peninsula by late Sunday. While uncertainties remain regarding its exact path, officials warn of heavy rain and strong winds anticipated on Sunday and Monday in the San Diego and Los Angeles areas.
This rare tropical storm system has brought back memories of a much larger and more dangerous event that occurred over eight decades ago. In September 1939, a tropical storm, known as El Cordonazo or the Lash of St. Francis, made landfall in Long Beach and San Pedro. It caused significant destruction, leaving a lasting mark in the region’s history. However, this event remains the only recorded tropical storm to hit California during the 20th century.
The upcoming storm also prompts recollections of a sequence of intense weather systems in the same time period. In early September 1939, two tropical cyclones formed in the waters west of Central America, following similar tracks along the Mexican coast before dissipating over Baja California. The third cyclone, which eventually evolved into the infamous Cordonazo, emerged in mid-September. It rapidly intensified and reached its lowest pressure on September 22, approximately 300 miles southwest of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
As the cyclone advanced northward, Southern California confronted scorching temperatures exacerbated by a relentless heatwave. However, on September 23, a slight drop in temperature accompanied by light rain provided temporary relief to the region. Additionally, remnants of one of the preceding cyclones contributed to a powerful thunderstorm that inundated Indio with 6.45 inches of rainfall in a short span of six hours.
The storm’s impact intensified on September 24, as it deteriorated offshore near Santa Catalina Island. Ominous clouds filled the sky above Los Angeles, causing the daytime temperature to plummet. By 5 p.m., the cooling southeasterly breeze escalated into gusts of up to 50 mph. Intense rainfall ensued overnight, with a respite during the day on September 25, only to resume later and continue until the early hours of September 26.
Impressive rainfall totals were recorded throughout the impacted areas. Notably, Long Beach received 4.51 inches, Claremont 4.89 inches, the Santa Ana River 4.41 inches, and Mt. Wilson a staggering 11.60 inches over a three-day period, with 9.02 inches falling on September 24 alone.
The storm wreaked havoc, resulting in numerous fatalities and significant damage along the coasts of Los Angeles and Orange County. Vessels were battered against piers, breakwaters, and beaches. Tragically, the storm claimed the lives of 18 individuals, while 30 more were reported missing. Properties suffered extensive destruction, with boats, structures, power lines, and phone lines incurring damages exceeding $1.5 million (equivalent to nearly $18 million in 2019). Additionally, crop damage amounted to $500,000, and the San Clemente Pier in southern Orange County was partially swept away.
As Southern California prepares for the arrival of Hurricane Hilary, authorities and residents remain vigilant. Lessons from the past underscore the potential risks and impacts associated with tropical storms in the region. While the exact trajectory and intensity of the storm remain uncertain, Southern California braces itself for heavy precipitation and strong winds in the coming days.
