Politics & Government
Federal Dollars Earmarked For RivCo's Tropical Storm Hilary Damage
Riverside County was one of 13 jurisdictions statewide included in an emergency declaration signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom in August.
RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Riverside County is in line to receive federal disaster aid stemming from the impacts of Tropical Storm Hilary three months ago.
The Biden administration announced Tuesday that, under a Major Disaster Declaration, the Federal Emergency Relief Agency had been authorized to administer aid for storm-related repairs to facilities in Riverside, Imperial, Inyo, Kern and Siskiyou counties.
The total amount of grants slated to be made available wasn't specified.
Find out what's happening in Palm Desertfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The Riverside County Board of Supervisors on Aug. 29 formally declared a local emergency because of damage caused to flood channels, roads, electrical transmission lines and other infrastructure during the Aug. 19-20 storm.
Similar emergency declarations were issued by the cities of Desert Hot Springs, La Quinta and Palm Desert.
Find out what's happening in Palm Desertfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Storm cells spawned by Hilary, which began as a category 4 hurricane before making landfall in Mexico's northern Baja Peninsula, pounded the Inland Empire.
More than two dozen road closures occurred, with the Coachella Valley suffering major transportation disruptions. Eastbound Interstate 10 in Whitewater was briefly shut down after mudslides created travel hazards.
Numerous schools were also closed in the Coachella Valley, and the area's 911 system additionally went offline during the wind and rain.
Monsoonal activity hammered canals, with some of the worst damage occurring in the Palm Canyon Wash, located in the vicinity of South Gene Autry Trail and East Palm Canyon Drive, just south of Cathedral City, according to the county Flood Control & Water Conservation District.
Last month, the board approved a $300,000 contract with a Santa Ana- based construction firm to fortify eroded side slopes and make other repairs to ensure drainage won't be disrupted during future downpours.
Similar repair and readiness projects following Hilary have been focused on Potrero Creek, Mission Creek Channel, Murrieta Creek and the Tahquitz Creek channel and basin.
Riverside County was one of 13 jurisdictions statewide included in an emergency declaration signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom in August.
