Los Angeles herald., 1908-08-10
THUNDER ROARS
AND RAIN FALLS
BY THE BUCKET
LOS ANGELES TREATED TO
GENUINE SURPRISE
VALLEY TOWNS IN RECEIPT OF
THOROUGH SOAKING
IdyIIwlld Reports Heaviest Downpour
Within Twenty-Five Years and
Magnificent Thunderstorm
Rages In Mountains

With wind from the southwest and
a black sky which was a distinct nov
city for Los Angeles-especially in Au-
gust-this city was visited by a real
thunder, lightning and rain storm yes
terday- morning which not only was a
big surprise but genuine treat.
Old J. Pluvius seems to have become
weary of the dust and determined to
give our semi-tropic foliage good
scrub. At any rate he turned the
sprinkler on with much ado, and after
making lots of noise with his thunder
guns, shot off a few pyrotechnical
lightning flashes and let 'er loose. Then
it began to pour.
That was about o'clock in the
morning. Everybody woke UP wonder
ing what it was about and discovered
that the moisture was coming down in
a real old April fashion. Streams of
water first began trickling along the
caves, then the little streams swelled
into torrents and the streets in many
sections became flooded.
Los Angeles, however, didn't get the
brunt of the rainstorm. In some OF
the nearby towns the railfall was much
heavier and assumed such proportions
at one time that it was feared consid-
cradle damage would ensue.
AS is common in Southern California
the storm was freakish, some of the
localities receiving more than others.
Several sections of the city were ViS-
tied by furious downpour; others by
a much milder one.
According to the city weather bureau
the instruments there registered .0S or
an inch. For the day there was total
of hours and rs minutes sunshine,
however although the rain continued
spasmodically from a. m. uhtii almost
noon yesterday. The maximum tenn
perature was 80.
The rain was much heavier generally
toward and among the Sierra Madre
mountains, several of the towns in the
valleys reporting that they received
over two inches, which is almost
record breaker. Little damage, up to a
late hour last night. has been reported
despite the great downpour.
Rainfall Most Severe
At Idyllwild the disturbance started
with violent thunderstorm at a. M,
and for some time the display of light
ming was extremely vivid, the spectacle,
as it ragged amid the mountain peaks,
being aWe-inspiring.
According to all reports, yesterday
mornings rain was the he-heaviest in that
section of the country for twenty-five
years. Three inches of rain fell be-
tween and II o'clock a. m.
Canyons, ravines and arroyos roared
with their tremendous torrents, sweep
ing rocks and logs before them as II
they were merely straws.
some of the mountain streams were
running almost bank full by sunrise,
and although no one had anticipated
the big storm there have as yet been
no reports of loss OF lie OF serious
property damag
In Santa Monha 412 of an inch of rain
fell. This is the first rain that has oc-
CURED there in the month OF august
since 1904. No damage to the crops
is reported.
In San Diego nearly half an inch
fell. the rain being accompanied by
thunder and lightning. The storm is
reported as having been general
throughout the valley, but is said to
have done no harm, as the hay is all
safely stored away
The results in Los Angeles and in
most of the other cities of the RAIN
visited sections, were most gratifying.
Early risers this morning found all
the trees, lawn and houses sparkling
as bright and fresh as in springtime !;
the parks had been given bath that
made them much more beautiful and
refreshing, and everywhere there was a
vernal and cheer-inspiring appearance
which delighted all.
A cloudy sky at any season is well
come in Los Angeles, for we get so few
of them. But especially is a good rain
welcomed in August when the dust
has settled on the trees and houses and
the air is most in need of good wash.
The general dilapidated condition of
the city Jail was emphasized when the
rain leaked through the ceiling there
and stood in puddles on the floor of the
receiving hospital. While the plaster
ing did not fall in, enough of the water
filtered through to keep the attendants
busy wiping it up.