Davis Declares State of Emergency in Los Angeles

NewsABC ^ | AP

[BJungNan]

Davis Declares State of Emergency in LA California's Gray Davis Declares State of Emergency in Part of Storm Damaged Los Angeles County

The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES Nov. 15 — In one of his last acts before leaving office, Gov. Gray Davis declared a state of emergency in part of Los Angeles County pounded by a freak hailstorm that deluged the community of Watts with 5 inches of rain and hail in two hours. "I looked up at the sky and said, 'God, please let this be the last disaster of my term,'" Davis said Friday, speaking at the county Department of Public Social Services, where hundreds of flood victims were lined up to receive emergency assistance.

Three weeks earlier, Davis was declaring a state of emergency in four counties ravaged by massive wildfires that destroyed more than 3,600 homes and killed 22 people.

The storm Wednesday night created a winter white landscape in some areas of Los Angeles while flooding others, damaging dozens of homes, stranding hundreds of motorists and knocking out power to more than 100,000 homes and businesses.

The emergency declaration makes the hard-hit Watts section of Los Angeles and the cities of Compton and South Gate eligible for low-interest loans to help residents rebuild.

[pgkdan]

I would dare say that you've NEVER experienced a storm that dropped 5 inches of rain in 2 hours. That kind of rainfall generally only occurs in the most severe tropical cyclones.

[SauronOfMordor]

The emergency declaration makes the hard-hit Watts section of Los Angeles and the cities of Compton and South Gate eligible for low-interest loans to help residents rebuild

As a parting gift, Davis makes property owners in Watts eligible for govt-subsidized home-improvement loans

[StatesEnemy]

Bulll-Onie

Central Florida regularly has t-storms in the 2-3 inch per hour range...

Think "sheets" rather than "drops"

[BJungNan]

5 inches of rain in 2 hours is a big deal anywhere. Even in a rain forest. We've had 5 inches fall over several days and have had flooding and other serious problems. That much rain in 2 hours could cause serious flash flooding and soil erosion.

What fell in Watts was snow (hard to believe, I know. Freak storm). But, what is wrong with homeowners insurance covering the damage and what was the damage? Was anything damaged or is this just more Gray "hand out" Davis at work?

[Bonaparte]

'God, please let this be the last disaster of my term,' Davis said Friday

Sorry, Mr. Grayout, you are the first and last disaster of your term.

[DoctorZIn]

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