Help center to open for Tropical Storm Hilary flooding victims in Coachella Valley

Ema Sasic, Palm Springs Desert Sun
·2 min read

Coachella Valley residents impacted by Tropical Storm Hilary will have an assistance center and community meeting area to meet with local and county officials next week thanks to a partnership between Cathedral City and Riverside County.

The Local Assistance Center will be open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sept. 6 through 8 at the Cathedral City Library Community Room, located at 33-520 Date Palm Drive. Staff members from the city’s storm response and recovery efforts will be available to meet with residents from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Study Room at the library to address concerns and questions and provide resources from local and state levels.

Despite the center being located in Cathedral City, it will be open to any valley resident.

"We’re so grateful to be able to offer this Local Assistance Center for our residents who have experienced devastating damages after Tropical Storm Hilary," Cathedral City Mayor Rita Lamb said in a statement. "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."

Agencies that will be available at the local assistance 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

Cathedral City Fire firefighters rescue residents of an elderly care home on Aug. 21 after the home and roads were inundated with mud from Tropical Storm Hilary.
Cathedral City Fire firefighters rescue residents of an elderly care home on Aug. 21 after the home and roads were inundated with mud from Tropical Storm Hilary.

Residents of Horizon Road in the city's Panorama neighborhood, Canyon Mobile Home Community and Terracina at Cathedral City Apartments have been some of the hardest-hit by Tropical Storm Hilary. On Horizon Road, mud and water from the storm trapped some residents in their homes, leading to the dramatic rescue of more than a dozen seniors who were taken out of a home care facility using earthmovers.

The damage from Tropical Storm Hilary is estimated at more than $126 million throughout Riverside County. Cathedral City has spent more than $1 million on recovery efforts, according to a press release.

A press release states city officials continue to be in constant communication with elected officials at the state, county and federal level, particularly when it comes to available financial assistance.

Residents whose home or business was impacted during the storm are encouraged to fill out a property damage form 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. The form can be accessed at tinyurl.com/hilaryform.

Ema Sasic covers entertainment and health in the Coachella Valley. Reach her at ema.sasic@desertsun.com or on Twitter @ema_sasic.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Help center to open for Hilary flooding victims in Coachella Valley