Hundreds gather for Cathedral City Council Meeting on Tropical Storm Hilary
It was a packed council chamber in Cathedral City council. Residents packed the room as Cathedral City held its council meeting, most there to discuss Tropical Storm Hilary, which severely impacted the Panorama Park neighborhood, and the aftermath.
The council authorized $1.6 million in emergency funding for cleanup efforts.
"The damage to the Date Palm Drive Bridge and the Ofelia Bringas Memorial Bridge was essentially the deposit of three (3) to six (6) feet of earth along the bottom of the Whitewater River Channel filling the actual drops of the drop-structures under each of the bridges. Long term, this sediment deposit will need to be removed to restore the channel to pre-storm capacities. This restoration work is being discussed with Caltrans and Coachella Valley Water District and the financial impact is not yet determined."
- City Council Agenda
There was also a special presentation on the storm's impact in the city.
"Significant damage from mud flows occurred within approximately 40 acres at the northeast area of Panorama neighborhood," reads the city council agenda.
Homes were covered in several feet of mud. 58 residents left stranded in homes due to the mud had to be rescued the day after the storm.
Some residents are still working to recover from the storm.
On Aug. 28, frustrated residents confronted city officials, including Mayor Rita Lamb. Residents expressing their anger over what they say is a lack of help and attention to the problems in the aftermath of tropical storm Hilary
Residents remained frustrated Wednesday, as dozens of speakers voiced their displeasure with the city's handling of the situation.
“I lost my car from this. I think the city needs to do a lot more to help the homeowners that are there,” said Andrew Velasquez, a Panorama Park resident.
Velasquez, like many who spoke on Wednesday, wants to see more done from the city.
“Talk to us come out to the to our street and see what kind of devastation there has been. And talk to the people that live there," Velasquez said. "We need the help. Don't turn it away.”
The city is urging residents to report the damage done to help get more aid from the county. The city plans to send a letter to Governor Newsom’s office with hopes to get more state and federal financial assistance.
Click here to report damage to your home or business (Make Sure to Include Pictures)
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