Dramatic video circulating around social media showed Dodger Stadium surrounded by floodwaters after Tropical Storm Hilary swept across Los Angeles on Sunday.
Hilary, downgraded from a hurricane, made history as the first tropical storm to strike California since 1939.
Rising waters from the storm flooded freeways, while heavy winds downed trees and caused sporadic power outages.
Related Story: SAG-AFTRA and WGA Cancel Strike Picketing Due to Hurricane Hilary
Footage taken from a helicopter flying over Chavez Ravine in L.A. showed Dodger Stadium surrounded by water, although the field inside appeared to be spared.
The video was posted on the @dodgeraerial Instagram account Sunday evening, causing a stir on social media. Hours later, “Dodger Stadium” trended on Twitter/X.
Dodgers fans need not worry because the stadium is fine, the team announced Monday on Twitter/X.
“Dodger Stadium trending? We get it. It looks beautiful this morning,” said a post on the team’s official account.
The post included two pictures, with one showing the inside of the pristine stadium. The second image showed dirt in the parking lot after the water cleared.
Dodger Stadium trending? We get it. It looks beautiful this morning. pic.twitter.com/oIrZjndZoZ
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 21, 2023
As for the rest of Southern California, Hilary brought record rain.
National Weather Service meteorologist Rich Thompson told the Los Angeles Times the storm shattered rainfall records for every Aug. 20 since the weather service started keeping track in 1877.
“Odds are you’ll see the same thing today,” Thompson said Monday morning. “The numbers won’t be quite as impressive in terms of breaking the records. Yesterday was just smashing them across L.A. and Ventura counties, just obliterating them!”
During a morning briefing by city leaders, Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley said the department was flooded with calls for help over the last 24 last hours, but there were no serious injuries.
“The LAFD responded to 1,833 emergency incidents. We received a total of 4,105 telephone calls to our 911 dispatch center and this represents over 1,000 additional emergency phone calls from our normal average. Fortunately, we have yet to receive any reports of any injuries or damage related to the storm,” Crowley said.
Still, the fire chief warned there could be mudslides in the future on water-soaked hillsides.
The fire chief was joined by L.A. Mayor Karen Bass, who thanked residents for listening to local leaders and “staying safe, staying home, and staying informed.”
Watch the city briefing below:
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