Categories: U.S.

LA mayor says city reaching out to city’s homeless population in riverbed areas ahead of Hilary

close Video

How Californians are preparing for Hurricane Hilary

Fox News’ Christina Coleman reports on the heavy rains and flooding predicted for California, Arizona and Nevada.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said the city has already begun outreach to the city’s homeless population as Tropical Storm Hilary approaches the city, including many who live on tents near riverbeds.

“Outreach started a couple of days ago,” Bass said during an appearance on CBS “Face the Nation” Sunday. “We have hundreds of people on our river beds, and every time we have a rain event, helicopters drive by as well as hundreds of outreach workers go by in advance to tell them to seek shelter.”

According to a report from KTLA, workers with the Los Angeles Homeless Service Authority began outreach to the homeless population in riverbed areas on Thursday, starting with locations within flood control areas through the San Gabriel River Watershed, L.A. River, Sepulveda Basin and Hansen Dam.

HILARY WEAKENS TO TROPICAL STORM, BUT CALIFORNIA STILL FACES DANGER AMID STATE OF EMERGENCY

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. (Reuters)

LAHSA said that 50 people had already been moved from the Santa Fe Dam area to safer locations, while additional teams are being activated throughout the weekend to help move more people who are in areas prone to flooding. The teams have also been working with the Red Cross and city and county officials to explore using facilities such as parks, gymnasiums, and hotels as emergency storm shelters.

Bass told CBS that the city has shelters available for homeless residents.

“We do have shelters open,” Bass said.

But Bass also noted that the city and county combined have a homeless population of nearly 70,000, most of whom live in tents outside.

Homeless encampment on San Vicente near La Cienega, in the Beverly Grove neighborhood, (Fox 11 Los Angeles)

HURRICANE HILARY: STATE OF EMERGENCY DECLARED IN CALIFORNIA AS MILLIONS BRACE FOR LIFE-THREATENING FLOODING

Pressed on what she’s doing to tackle the city’s homeless problem, Bass said that she declared a state of emergency on her first day in office that has helped move 14,000 people.

“You are talking about a tremendous amount of people,” Bass said. “We did declare a state of emergency on my first day in office and in my first six months, we housed 14,000 people. But it just shows you the magnitude of the problem.”

In anticipation of Hurricane Hilary, residents fill sandbags at Wildwood Park, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023, in San Bernardino,  (Watchara Phomicinda/The Orange County Register via AP)

Hilary was downgraded to a tropical storm on Sunday as it continued its path toward the coast of Mexico. From there, the storm is expected to move into Southern California and bring “catastrophic and life-threatening flooding,” according to the National Weather Service.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

“We continue to be very concerned for the potential for life-threatening flash flooding, potentially catastrophic impacts,” National Hurricane Center Director Dr. Michael Brennan said Sunday. 

Michael Lee is a writer at Fox News. Follow him on Twitter @UAMichaelLee

Share

Recent Posts

NJ mom who drowned her 2 kids to root out ‘all the evil in the world’ found not guilty by reason of insanity

close Video Fox News Flash top headlines for April 6 Fox News Flash top headlines…

2 hours ago

Online fundraiser for Texas track meet stabbing suspect nears $150K

close Video Fox News Flash top headlines for April 6 Fox News Flash top headlines…

2 hours ago

‘Doomsday mom’ Lori Vallow shares why she made unusual legal move for 2nd murder trial: ‘Fighting for my life’

close Video 'Doomsday' mom Lori Vallow says at sentencing that her 2 dead children 'are…

2 hours ago

Gov. DeSantis’ new DOGE task force gains momentum as universities, localities commit to being audited

Local jurisdictions and public universities in Florida are latching on to Gov. Ron DeSantis' new…

2 hours ago

Poll position: Where Trump stands with Americans 11 weeks into his 2nd White House term

It is 11 weeks into his second administration, and President Donald Trump is not slowing…

2 hours ago

House plows ahead on Trump agenda after Johnson strikes deal with GOP rebels who paralyzed House

House Republicans are set to advance two key bills backed by President Donald Trump this…

2 hours ago