NEWS RELEASE
City of Cathedral City, Riverside County Partner to Open Local Assistance Center, Community Meeting Times at Cathedral City Library
The City of Cathedral City and Riverside County have partnered to open a Local Assistance Center next week at the Cathedral City Library’s Community Room, located at 33520 Date Palm Dr, Cathedral City, CA 92234. The Local Assistance Center is open for all Coachella Valley residents impacted by Tropical Storm Hilary.
The Local Assistance Center will be open Wednesday through Friday next week, Sept. 6-8, 2023, with key staff from the City’s storm response and recovery efforts available to meet with residents from 2-4 p.m. each day in the Study Room at the Library to address specific concerns and questions. Overall hours of operation for the Center are included below:
- Wednesday, Sept. 6 from 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
- Thursday, Sept. 7 from 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
- Friday, Sept. 8 from 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
“We’re so grateful to be able to offer this Local Assistance Center for our residents who have experienced devasting damages after Tropical Storm Hilary,” said Cathedral City Mayor Rita Lamb. “We know folks are hurting right now, and by partnering with Riverside County, nonprofits, and other agencies, we hope to increase the resources available for homeowners and provide them with a path to recovery.”
Residents living along Horizon Road, at Canyon Mobile Home Park, and Terracina at Cathedral City Apartments have been some of the most impacted by Tropical Storm Hilary. The Local Assistance Center will allow them and any other local resident needing services to access resources from the city, county, and state levels and to receive answers to some of the questions they currently have after this unprecedented weather event.
Agencies confirmed to appear at the Center next week include:
County Departments:
- Riverside University Health System – Public Health
- Riverside University Health System – Behavioral Health
- Riverside County Office on Aging
- Riverside County Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder
- Riverside County Department of Public Social Services
- Riverside County Housing and Workforce Solutions Department
State and Federal Agencies:
- Social Security Administration
- California Department of Motor Vehicles
- California Department of Housing and Community Development
Non-Government Organizations:
- Salvation Army
- American Red Cross
- Team Rubicon
- FIND Food Bank
- United Policy Holder
- TODEC
The damage left from Tropical Storm Hilary is currently estimated more than $126 million throughout all Riverside County. Rainfall rates approached a 50-year storm for the Coachella Valley floor areas and in excess to a 1,000-year event in some mountain canyon areas. So far, the City of Cathedral City has already spent more than $1 million on recovery efforts.
The Mayor and City Council of Cathedral City, along with the City Manager’s Office, continue to be in constant communication with elected officials at the state, county, and federal level, especially related to available financial assistance. FEMA, Cal OES, and Riverside County Emergency Management Department were in town on Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2023, for a site visit and formal damage assessment along Horizon Road, Canyon Mobile Home Park, and Terracina at Cathedral City Apartments.
On Monday, Aug. 21, 2023, the Cathedral City Fire Department led a successful evacuation of 14 residents trapped inside a senior care boarding facility along Horizon Drive and Adelina Road. They were assisted by Cathedral City Police and Burrtec, which provided a dozer that proved impactful to the rescue. In total, crews have rescued 62 residents to safety during Tropical Storm Hilary.
Roads Update
The City’s Public Works Department and supporting agencies have worked around the clock since the beginning of the storm to clear mud from the roadways. Vista Chino between Date Palm Drive and Avenida Maravilla is now open to drivers, as well as Date Palm Drive between Vista Chino and 30th Avenue. Standing water near Rio del Sol has also been cleared.
Crews also continue street sweeping arterial streets and will move into residential neighborhoods soon after.
Here is a current list of closures and a general timeline for reopening:
- Los Gatos Road at Date Palm Drive to Avenida La Vista remains closed with plans to reopen by the end of this week or early next week.
Building & Safety Support
If your home or business was damaged during the Tropical Storm Hilary, please use the link below and fill out the Damage Reporting Form. This form is not an application for assistance nor a guarantee of any benefits. The form is to assist the County Emergency Management Department in determining the extent of damages within the community. This information will be used to help determine if Riverside County qualifies for any State or Federal disaster programs.
Disaster Recovery Information for Events in Riverside County
Volunteer Efforts/Community Assistance
Dial 2-1-1 for information and referrals for thousands of services, including food assistance, shelter and housing services, employment opportunities, health and dental care, legal assistance, advocacy, counseling services, childcare and parents’ resources, senior services, youth services, support groups, disability services and volunteer opportunities. You can also visit inlandsocaluw.org.
Throughout the past week, the response to cleanup efforts by volunteers, businesses, and community groups has been impressive and has led to substantial progress.
Volunteers looking to help with the cleanup efforts on private property along Horizon Road should avoid parking on the street. Due to an ongoing heat wave, residents should dress for high-temperature conditions and bring plenty of water and sunscreen. Masks are also recommended for those helping homeowners.
In addition to support from The Salvation Army and the American Red Cross, Team Rubicon has extended its dedicated cleanup response by several days. Team Rubicon is a veteran-led humanitarian organization that serves global communities before, during, and after disasters and crises. Founded following the Haiti earthquake in 2010, the organization has grown to more than 150,000 volunteers across the United States and has launched over 1,100 operations domestically and internationally.
FIND Food Bank also hosted a mobile market at Agua Caliente Elementary School on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, and Trio restaurant teamed up with volunteers from World Central Kitchen to help provide meals to 250 people in Cathedral City.
Local Emergency Declaration
Due to unprecedented rainfall and flooding of local roadways, City Manager Charles McClendon declared a local emergency due to the critically dangerous impacts of Tropical Storm Hilary.
The City Council of Cathedral City approved and ratified the emergency order at the regular meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023.
We ask for your patience as cleanup efforts are underway in our community. Please continue to follow the City’s Facebook page for regular updates. You can also visit discovercathedralcity.com/tag/tropical-storm-hilary.