The storm dropped heavy rain in California, with falling in
Los Angeles ( in 24 hours) and recorded at
Mount Wilson, both September records. Over three hours, one thunderstorm dropped nearly of rain on
Indio. fell on Raywood Flat, and on
Palm Springs. deep in the
Coachella Valley with heavy rain immediately preceding the tropical storm dropping the day before the storm hit. At sea, 48 were killed. Six people caught on beaches drowned during the storm. Most other deaths were at sea. Twenty-four died aboard a vessel called the
Spray as it attempted to dock at
Point Mugu. The two survivors, a man and a woman, swam ashore and then walked five miles (8 km) to
Oxnard. Fifteen people from
Ventura drowned aboard a fishing boat named
Lur. Many other vessels were sunk, capsized, or blown ashore. waves undermined ten homes before washing them away. Debris was scattered throughout the coast. Agriculture was disrupted. Crop damage in the Coachella Valley reached 75%. People were caught unprepared by the storm, which was described as "sudden". Some people were still on the beach at Long Beach when the wind reached , at which time lifeguards closed the beach. Schools were closed there. At sea, the
Coast Guard and
Navy conducted rescue operations, saving dozens of people. In response to Californians' unpreparedness, the
Weather Bureau established a forecast office for southern California, which began operations in February 1940. ==See also==