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Three Weeks After Tropical Storm Hillary
What I Saw
Three weeks ago, Tropical Storm Hillary cut a path through Southern California impacting several Cities along the way. Cathedral City was no exception, receiving rain and high winds because of this rare storm making landfall. As most of you have heard, there were areas of the city that experienced stormwater flooding of different natures and origins. The differentiation being actual stormwater vs. flowing mud.
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This is where I diverge from discussing specifics on Hilary and its impacts which were well documented by local, regional, and even the national news. The facts of the storm and what it did, including the unprecedented amount of mud that was moved and deposited in various areas is still under study by our regional flood control agencies, Riverside County Flood Control District, and the Coachella Valley Water District. What I want to express is what I witnessed as a fellow employee working side by side with seasoned professionals working in an emergency.
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Even before the storm, the City’s “small in numbers – giant with effort” Public Works crews were out cleaning storm drains, retention basins and placing barricades off the side of the road at key locations within the city that historically are slow to drain. The Fire Department personnel were preparing the City’s Emergency Operations Center at the City’s main firehouse. Sandbag distribution was coordinated by the Fire Department and Public Works. By the Friday before Hilary arrived, all Departments in the City reviewed their respective staffing to make sure that backup personnel were available and on standby, specifically Public Works, Police, and Fire crews.
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At the onset of the Storm, late Sunday/early Monday morning, August 20/21 respectively, first responders, the City’s Police and Fire Departments, were at various locations providing aide and rescues for residents in need. Many of the resources were diverted to the area around the intersection of Date Palm Drive and Vista Chino where stormwater, blow sand and silt combined along the stormwaters path of travel and changed to a heavy viscous mud. This mudflow was unprecedented and inundated this neighborhood. The Fire and Police Chiefs took charge of the scene, with other Departments in support.
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The Public Works Manager coordinated internal resources, and Public Works crews, to start clearing the mud from the streets. The city’s Public Works Street Superintendent coordinated these on-site efforts of City crews. All the while the Public Works teams were making sure food and water was delivered to the field personnel and making sure that roll-off containers and, importantly, portable restrooms were delivered to the site.
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Both Public Works and contract crews were working side by side with the Police Department personnel who were assisting in clearing vehicles from the roadway and metering access to the streets, mostly due to the amount of heavy equipment units being operated on each street and providing security for the residents with damaged homes.
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With between fifteen (15) and twenty (20) pieces of equipment operating at the same time on the streets, Public Works, Engineering, and contract field staff were continuing efforts to clear the roads of debris. The first week, all 24 hours of the day were utilized to make progress.
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For the front-line response teams to function, there must be strong back offices and logistics to support the effort. From the first day, the city offices were in full gear to support the effort. The Financial Services Director was working with staff to make sure contractor agreements, bills, and receipts were in place. Making sure all overtime and expenditures were being accounted for, knowing that there may be local, State of Federal assistance available for the expenditures being made in response to Hilary’s aftermath.
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The day after the storm, Engineering called its On-Call Consultant to mobilize and assist all the city’s departments on the required forensic paperwork needed for disaster relief. The City Manager, Assistant City Manager, other staff, and our consultant reached out to the respective agencies that are involved in these situations; the County of Riverside Emergency Management Department (RCEMD), California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), Cal Trans and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
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Communications on what was going on, press releases, and reviewing the chatter on the event was the charge of the City’s Communications/Events Manager. From the onset, cone zone alerts, road closure advisories, communications with local organizations, and interviews with different city personnel, were all effectively managed and coordinated. I was impressed with the 24-7 dispensing of clear and factual information to the news agencies and the public.
So much damage in a small area resulted in disastrous effects to the homes of residents that lived in the mud-flooded area. Assisting from the first day were the city’s Development Services Department’s Code Compliance Manager and the Chief Building Official. Both new to the City, but with extensive disaster mitigation experience, jumped right in to assess the private property situations. Structural damage and safety for entry was their key assessment goal. Their work was more personal than Public Works as theirs involves dealing with the individual residents’ homes.
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What I witnessed was an amazing mobilization of city forces, that banded together on a moment’s notice. A city staff that moved into, and not away from the maelstrom. There were many leaders that emerged in the efforts that needed to be completed. Some personnel so new that this was their first month on the job. The newer personnel integrating with the city’s veterans working as a team. I was most impressed on how the leadership baton passed from personnel to personnel, department to department, leader to leader as each phase of the emergency was addressed and responded to. No leader asked for recognition and or accolades. Once mitigated, the baton was passed to the next set of skilled personnel to keep the response efforts moving forward.
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This event response proved to me that our city staff members “do not just do their best but do what it takes to get the job done.” I am proud to be a member of this team.
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If you have any questions regarding this Community Update and the Projects discussed, please don't hesitate to contact me.
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Los Gatos Road at Date Palm Drive to Avenida La Vista Now Open
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TRAFFIC UPDATE: Los Gatos Road at Date Palm Drive to Avenida La Vista is now open. Thank you for your patience! Volunteers looking to help with the cleanup efforts on private property and local businesses along or near Horizon Road need to avoid parking on the street. Due to an ongoing heat wave, … Read more
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Coachella Valley Animal Campus Reopens With Access Restored to Key Road by Cathedral City Public Works
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The Coachella Valley Animal Campus reopened Friday morning, following the work done by the City of Cathedral City to clear storm water off Rio Del Sol Road and lift the road closure. Following Hurricane Hilary, Rio Del Sol, a Cathedral City road that provides access to the county’s and several valley cities’ … Read more
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City of Cathedral City Recognizes FIND Food Bank’s Hunger Action Month
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The City of Cathedral City reminds residents that Friday, Sept. 1, 2023, kicks off FIND Food Bank‘s #HungerActionMonth. City Hall in Downtown will light up orange all month long in solidarity for Hunger Action Month. Hunger Action Month is a nationwide campaign to raise awareness to help put food on the table of many …Read more
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Insurance Coverage for Automobile Damage Caused by Tropical Storm Hilary
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As Tropical Storm Hilary has moved out of California, and the state begins the recovery process, Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara issued information for people whose vehicles were damaged or flooded. If your vehicle was damaged by falling debris or flooded, you may have coverage under a comprehensive policy. Unlike a standard homeowners’ …Read more
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“RESURGENCE”
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Sept 1st - Sept 30th, 2023 , 68-895 Perez Rd # i-26, Cathedral City, CA Join us where art transcends boundaries, ignites conversations, and shifts perceptions at the all-female/non-binary art show ‘RESURGENCE’ in September 2023 at Desert Art Woman Gallery, located at 68895 Perez Rd # i-26 in Cathedral City, CA. Curated by Adriana Lopez-Ospina, Lauren Bright of Wyld Womxn …
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Blues Jazz 2023 Series
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Join Cathedral City Senior Center this Saturday, September 16, 2023, 3 PM – 5 PM, Yve Evans Presents… Blues Jazz 2023 Seies Yve Evans, piano and vocals Rick E. Taylor, guitar Larry Washington, drums Concert is free, however, donations are kindly accepted for refreshments and a tip jar for the musicians will be available as well. RSVP Required https://theccsc.org/
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Hair Cuts with Jeffery
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11am - 3pm Appointment only - Cathedral City Senior Center Members Only 3rd Wednesday of each month 30-minute appointments (please come with clean hair and no product) Call (760) 321-1548 $20 per haircut
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Dinner with Patsi - September
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Join Dinner with Patsi at The Barrel District, on Wednesday, September 20th, between 5 pm-8 pm. Phone 760-537-7431. Located at 35939 Date Palm Drive, Cathedral City, CA 92234. Patsi will be there to pass her Red Hat. Donations go towards the Cathedral City Professional Firefighters Association. They will also collect food items for the Cathedral City Senior Center Food Bank.
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The Perez Art District's Fourth Fridays
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Beginning in September 2023, The Perez Art District’s highly anticipated Art Walk event moves to Fourth Fridays at 4pm. The season’s inaugural event is scheduled for Sept. 22, 2023, promising an immersive experience for art enthusiasts and the local community. Conveniently located at 68845 Perez Rd in Cathedral City, California, the Perez Art District is home to a vibrant community …
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Coachella Valleys Battle in the Desert
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Come watch the sport of amateur boxing at the Cathedral City Community Amphitheater in Downtown Cathedral City. Doors open at 6:00 pm 1st boxing match starts at approximately 7:00 pm For tickets, contact Jesus Gonzalez (760) 335-8895
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Maya La Feria Internacional De Cultura
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Maya La Feria International De Cultura projects a strong local and regional audience and would represent another local event dedicated to celebrating the culture and history of Latino countries/heritage. The event, which is a proposed partnership between the Cathedral City Chamber of Commerce and Camara de Comercio Guatemala USA, features folklorico performances, live entertainment and cultural cuisine/presentations representing Mexico, Central …
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8th Annual Día de Los Muertos Festival Set for Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023 at Desert Memorial Park
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Mark your calendars for the 8th Annual Día de Los Muertos Festival from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, October 28, 2023 at Desert Memorial Park! Día de Los Muertos Cathedral City invites Palm Springs Unified School District students to participate in the annual Día de Los Muertos Youth Art Exhibition, sponsored by S.C.R.A.P. Gallery. Selected work will be …Read more
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Halloween Spooktacular
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Presented by State Farm Agent, Phil Goodge Cathedral City’s Halloween Spooktacular features trick or treating with over 50,000 pieces of candy! Join friends, neighbors, and family for a Spooktacular time including activities such as Halloween costume contests (two bikes given away each hour), police and fire exhibitions, music, and family games. Halloween Spooktacular provides you with information about the police …
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Cathedral City International Hot Air Balloon Festival
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Agua Caliente Casinos, the award-winning premier destination for entertainment in the Coachella Valley, is proud to present the 9th Annual Cathedral City International Hot Air Balloon Festival & Food Truck Fiesta, taking place on Friday, November 17 – Sunday, November 19, 2023, in Cathedral City. The official kick-off begins with the balloon launch from Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage …
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North Pole Village at SnowFest
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Snow-Fest, scheduled from 1-8 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, captures all the holiday spirit and places it at one event with holiday music, Santa and Mrs. Claus, holiday tree lighting ceremony, food, and a free movie at the Mary Pickford Theatre. “North Pole Village” comes to life in front of City Hall – all lit with holiday lights. It …
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Employment
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AMBULANCE OPERATOR - EMT (24 hour shifts)
ANALYST I (VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS)
ASSISTANT ENGINEER
ASSOCIATE PLANNER
CITIZENS ON PATROL (COP)
EVENTS & SPECIAL PROJECTS COORDINATOR
FIREFIGHTER/PARAMEDIC
LAND DEVELOPMENT ENGINEER
PLANS EXAMINER I/II
POLICE CADET
POLICE OFFICER - LATERAL/ACADEMY GRADUATE
POLICE OFFICER RECRUIT
RESERVE POLICE OFFICER
SENIOR ANALYST/GRANTS
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