Locals remember the devastation of the 700-year storm

The anniversary of the “700-year storm” which devastated La Quinta is just around the corner.

The rain flooded La Quinta homes and businesses, causing hundreds of thousands of dollars in property damage for many people without flood insurance.

Tourential downpours turned parking lots into a lakes and roads into rivers.

Just across Washington Street, Vicki Pierson’s front yard was completely washed away.

“The water came into the garage and fortunately the garage is a lot lower than the house, so the house wasn’t damaged but the garage was completely flooded,” Pierson said.

This year she said she’s not taking any chances.

“We want to prepare ahead of time, making sandbags,” Pierson said.

Neighbors down the street are following suit and have sandbags surrounding their homes.

Egg Cafe owner Doriel Wyler said her restaurant was one of the only businesses not affected.

In fact the flood actually helped.

“We were actually busier because everyone wanted to come by and see what happened,” Wyler said.

Wyler said many still blame the city for saying they didn’t need flood insurance.

But she said no one could have anticipated this type of storm.

“I think they should re-check what’s going on. But Mother Nature is Mother Nature.

Pierson said she’s not sure if the city is prepared if this were to happen again this year.

“I haven’t seen any work, I don’t know I would love that to be true,” Pierson said.

But she feels confident she is more prepared than before.

The national weather service said these sudden storms could happen any year during monsoon season.

Which is why many people in La Quinta said it’s better to be over prepared in case mother nature strikes.