Ways You Can Help With Post-Hilary Cleanup; COVID-19 Hospitalizations Forecast to Rise–Coachella Valley Independent’s Indy Digest: Aug. 24, 2023

Indy Digest: Aug. 24, 2023

Expect to be seeing a lot of news about tropical storms and hurricanes in the coming days and weeks.

If you’re a nerd for news and weather (like me!), and you’re unfamiliar with the National Hurricane Center website, get thee to www.nhc.noaa.gov. Not only is the site invaluable at offering the latest news when a storm’s arrival is imminent; it’s got great forecasts.

And those forecasts right now say the possibility of storms is quite strong. ‘Tis the (hurricane season, after all.

Here’s the Atlantic Ocean map as of now.

There’s one current Tropical Storm, Franklin, which is forecast to become a hurricane and head north, a bit to the west of Bermuda. It’s not expected to be a problem for the U.S.

A yellow “x” means there’s a 40 percent or less chance of a tropical storm developing in the area within 48 hours. The orange x means there’s a 40-60 percent chance.

Meanwhile, here’s the eastern Pacific forecast map—showing storms that, in theory, could affect us locally one way or another.

That red “x” means it’s likely that a tropical storm will develop. Fortunately, the forecast indicates it’s unlikely to come anywhere close to the mainland. As for the yellow x, the forecast says: “Interests in southwestern Mexico should monitor the progress of this system.”

The chances of the Coachella Valley having to deal with anything like Hilary again anytime soon are quite low—but, of course, they’re not zero. Still, the National Hurricane Center website is worth keeping an eye on … especially this time of year.

—Jimmy Boegle

More News

• Some of the roads damaged by Hilary could be closed for quite some time. The Palm Springs Post reports that Indian Canyon could be closed for two months: “Those closures are not just inconvenient; they could lead to life-threatening delays for residents of Desert Hot Springs who need the straightest and quickest path to Desert Regional Hospital. … Surveying the damage Thursday, Palm Springs Councilmember Christy Holstege acknowledged the frustrations and anger of residents that has been spewing out on social media after Tropical Storm Hilary dumped more than three inches of rain in Palm Springs and forced the closure of multiple crucial paths in and out of the city. ‘“I think they’re right to be angry,’ said Holstege, who is campaigning for a seat in the California State Assembly. ‘It has been unacceptable for decades. We proposed a solution. And then we found another solution. It’s going to take public pressure. The anger is valid. It just needs to be channeled.’”

• The city of Cathedral City explains how you can help residents there literally dig out from the mud: “Volunteers looking to help with the cleanup efforts on private property can report to the designated Volunteer Coordination Center, which is located at Vista Chino, east of Panorama Road and west of Horizon Road. City staff will be on site coordinating this area, led by Dr. Stone James, the City’s Economic Development Director and Justin Gardiner, the City’s Code Compliance Manager. Please check-in at the Coordination Center for instructions before moving into the area to help with cleanup and checkout with city staff once you decide to leave. Drivers should look out for Code Compliance city vehicles on the north side of Vista Chino. Dress for high heat conditions and bring plenty of water. Gloves, shovels, and wheelbarrows are also needed if you have them.”

• If you’re in a position to give money rather than time, the Palm Springs Air Museum has set up an IndieGoGo effort to raise funds for affected residents. From the fundraising page: “Anyone donating $200 or more via this fundraising page will receive one free ride on the museum’s C-47 Skytrain. The promotion is limited to one per person. ‘During these difficult times, our hearts extend to all in our community who’ve felt the impact of the recent storm,’ says museum Vice Chairman Fred Bell. ‘The Palm Springs Air Museum wants to be a beacon of hope and solidarity as the community faces adversity. This is why we are offering these free rides (usually $125 each) to those who donate online through our IndieGoGo page. We hope to raise $20,000 for the residents. The funds will be given to the local community to distribute.'”

• David Robinson, the director of analytic services for the Coachella Valley Economic Partnership, explains why the Coachella Valley is so darned susceptible to flooding: “One of the compelling aspects of the Coachella Valley is its clearly defined shape. The ridges of our surrounding mountains and foothills mark the boundary of the valley. This boundary is mirrored by the watershed (the area where all of the water that falls in it and drains out of it goes to a common outlet) of the Whitewater River, the valley’s main watercourse, flowing from below San Gorgonio mountain to the northwest and draining to the southeast into the Salton Sea. Draining down these mountains and foothills are myriad rills, gullies, creeks, and streams. Many run dry before they even join the Whitewater River, and most are seasonal at best. But during a large rainstorm, they come alive. Our basin is essentially a bathtub with high sides, draining out to the Salton Sea. And that’s why storms centered over the valley are so consequential.”

• Forgive me if you’ve heard this before … but there’s been yet another mass shooting in Southern California. CBS News reports. “At least three people were killed and six more wounded after a former police officer opened fire in a shooting that appeared to target his estranged wife at an iconic biker bar in Southern California’s Orange County Wednesday evening, authorities said. The gunman is also dead. The suspect was killed by ‘multiple’ deputies who confronted him minutes after they arrived, Orange County Sheriff’s Department Undersheriff Jeff Hallock told reporters at a late night briefing. … The shooting occurred at the historic Cook’s Corner bar in the Trabuco Canyon community at about 7 p.m. local time.”

• We deeply regret to inform you that COVID-19 is increasingly becoming a danger again. CBS News says: “The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is now forecasting an acceleration in new COVID-19 hospitalizations over the coming month, the agency said this week, replacing a previous projection that admissions would ‘remain stable or have an uncertain trend.’ It comes as health officials are racing to study a new highly mutated COVID variant called BA.2.86, nicknamed ‘Pirola’ on social media, that has begun to emerge around the world. While officials say it is too early to know whether the strain will drive a further surge in COVID hospitalizations, the variant’s broad number of mutations has prompted worldwide scrutiny.“

• And finally … Sunday, Aug. 27, is National Cinema Day, and the non-big-corporate local theater is going to celebrate. According to a news release: “The Cinema Foundation and D’Place Entertainment announce the return of National Cinema Day, coming to a theater near you this Sunday, August 27. Building on the unprecedented success of last year’s inaugural National Cinema Day, the Cinema Foundation is calling on film fans across the country to gather for a national day to celebrate the magic of the movies on the big screen. … ‘After last year’s resounding positive response to National Cinema Day at our locations, we knew we wanted to participate again,’ says Damon Rubio, president of D’Place Entertainment (the owner of the Mary Pickford Theatre). … On Aug. 27, dozens of movies in all formats at all participating theaters will be no more than $4, including new films opening this weekend.”

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