Cathedral City family still dealing with major storm cleanup
Five days after Tropical Storm Hilary, knee-deep mud still covers the Mendiola family's kitchen and living room.
“Unfortunately we’re still kind of shock at the moment, we’re just trying to pick up the pieces, and taking day by day,” said Arcie Mendiola, a Cathedral City resident.
Arcie said her family prepared with sandbags, flashlights, and extra food to ride out the storm and went to bed after celebrating her mom’s 56 birthday with those she lives with.
Her dad, sister, brother-in-law, and her two-year-old nephew. Just before midnight, a loud bang woke the family up. The chimney had burst and then came the water and mud rushing into their home.
“It was a day of devastation in the end, it happened at 11:50, so her birthday wasn’t even over yet,” Arcie said.
The family grabbed some essentials and headed out to the balcony on the second floor.
“And so because our house is a corner house, we car, boats, logs, ramming into our home, when we saw our backyard our brick walls are broken, are next concern is if our balcony falls down,” Arcie said.
But heavy rain continued to pour and Water and mud kept rising in their neighborhood. Left with no choice, the family headed to the roof with the two-year-old baby.
“There’s a gas leak, as well that's happening, we're just thinking of evacuation, we're fearful, scared, crying, about the unknown,” Arcie said.
It would be at least an hour before a good samaritan would come rescue to them to safety.
“I was the first one to call 911, and they just kept saying we are aware of the situation, and were trying to get you help, and we could see that they were trying to come, but they couldn’t make it,” Arcie said.
The happy birthday signs remain but long gone are valuables such as furniture, photos, and all their cars. As volunteers continue to shovel out pounds of mud, Mendiola salvages whatever may have survived.
She says she can't help but wonder what lies ahead for her family.
“Make sure you love your loved one, I know it sounds cliche, but when you’re living through it and wherever you see everything you love is being ripped away, all you can think of is, I never want to take those moments for granted,” Arcie said.
A fundraising page has been set up to help the Mendiola family with housing, clothing, and food. Click here if you would like to donate.
