A Category 4 hurricane swarming through Mexico’s Baja California peninsula has seen ports across Southern California experience record-breaking rainfall.
According to CBS News, Storm Hilary has led to flooding in certain areas within the region, triggering mudslides and rockslides which have been declared as life-threatening.
Meanwhile, a US government agency has issued California’s first ever tropical storm watch on 20 August before being classified as a post-tropical cyclone on 21 August. It is also the first storm of any kind to hit the region, reported CBS News.
The Port of Los Angeles reportedly implemented several precautionary measures in the storms wake, such as contacting and cooperating with the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and relocating vessels to anchorage points offshore.
READ: Floridian ports begin reopening after coast battered by Hurricane Nicole
“Los Angeles Port Police are prepared to work closely with our tenants, the U.S. Coast Guard L.A./Long Beach sector and our other local law enforcement, maritime fire, and emergency management agency partners” the Port of Los Angeles declared in a statement on 18 August
Despite the storms force, the port has reported no operational impact.
Ship and container terminal movements are operating in ordinary fashion, whilst no damage of vessels, facilities, or infrastructure has been incurred.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff has subsequently lifted the previously imposed evacuation warning for Catalina Island.
“The LA Port Police assisted them on 19 August by transporting Deputies and equipment to the island aboard the Port Police Dive Boat. This assistance will resume today by transporting the Deputies and equipment back to the mainland.”
READ: Port of Los Angeles approves $2 billion yearly budget
Despite the closure of the Mark Bixby Memorial Bike/Pedestrian Path and Ocean Boulevard Connector over the Long Beach International Gateway Bridge on 20 August, the Port of Long Beach has reported no disruptions to port operations.
On the same day, the Port’s Department Operations Center (DOC) was activated to closely monitor Tropical Storm Hilary in close coordination with federal, state, and local public safety partners.
Some desert and mountain areas saw more than half the yearly average level of rain due to the storm, while tens of thousands of Southern Californians suffered power outages, reported CBS News.
READ: Port of Long Beach sees 26 per cent July decline
The storm comes shortly after both Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach acquired new investments.
In early July this year, the State of California gave the Port of Los Angeles $233 million in funding to finish critical infrastructure improvements aimed at establishing a more efficient and sustainable supply chain.
The Port of Long Beach, meanwhile, more recently received a grant from the US Department of Homeland Security of $2.72 million to improve security and ensure the safe and efficient transportation of goods during emergency situations.
