Southern California faced a double whammy of natural disasters a year ago this week. On August 20, 2023, a 5.1 magnitude earthquake struck Ventura County, shaking a large portion of the region. The earthquake occurred while ABC7 reporters Jory Rand and Jovana Lara were live on air discussing Hurricane Hilary, which had been downgraded to a tropical storm. They felt the ground tremble and reported the earthquake to viewers, highlighting the simultaneous occurrence of two natural events.
While the earthquake did not cause major damage, Hurricane Hilary brought heavy rainfall and widespread flooding across Southern California. The storm set rainfall records in downtown Los Angeles, Palm Springs, and San Diego. One location in San Bernardino County even recorded a staggering 13 inches of rainfall. The storm’s impact led to flooded streets and waterways, showcasing the significant challenges posed by such extreme weather events.
