Hemet, Calif. – In preparation for Hurricane Hilary, the Hemet Police Department has sent officers to washes and drainage areas throughout the city where transient encampments may be found. The officers are there to warn anyone staying in locations designed for flood control to be aware of the approaching tropical storm expected to reach Hemet sometime over the weekend. All homeless persons in these locations will be offered assistance and told to vacate the area to prevent being caught in a flash flood.
The department also equipped the officers working during the storm with “Swift Water Rescue Kits” pictured below. The officers will carry these kits to aid in rescuing anyone caught in a flood. The kits contain equipment to keep the officers safe, including a life jacket and items to help those caught in a flood, such as a throwable rope and emergency blanket.