Despite the fact that the eye or center of Tropical Storm Hilary was right over San Diego, it didn’t have the punch weather forecasters said it would.
City and county emergency officials and agencies had warned everyone to take precautions and to be prepared. There were even a lot of people who rushed to the grocery store last weekend to stock up on supplies, just in case there were power outages and flooded areas.
There has been some criticism from some that it was overdone and overhyped. But had the tropical storm been as bad as they said it could be, at least we would all have been in better shape because of being prepared.
We were reminded this week of a common attitude that emergency officials say they too often see and that they warn us about. That some people think that if a natural disaster happens, it won’t happen here and if it does, it won’t happen in their neighborhood.
With the traditional peak of the wildfire season just ahead and the possibility of another very rainy winter coming, and the chance of a major earthquake always around, it would be good to remember the takeaway from Tropical Storm Hilary about being prepared.
As the County’s Ready San Diego website suggests. Make a plan. Have an emergency kit and sign for alerts. Just in case!
(Photo Getty Images)
IMPERIAL BEACH, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 20: People stand on a pier over the Pacific Ocean with Hurricane Hilary approaching in San Diego County on August 20, 2023.Photo: Getty Images