Significance of the 1939 Long Beach Tropical Storm (El Cordonazo)

A patient & detailed explanation in detail why Southern California does not get a lot of hurricanes & tropical storms is provided by "This Day in Weather":

1. Coastal upwelling - 
2. Trade Winds 

A History of Significant Weather Events in Southern California - From NWS

September 24-26, 1939 - Long Beach Tropical Storm

• 45 killed in floods all over Southern California
• 48 more at sea
• $2 million damage to structures along the coast and to crops.
• Eastern Coachella Valley under 2’ of water.
• Californians were generally unprepared and were alerted to their vulnerability to tropical storms. In response, the weather bureau established a forecast office for Southern California, which began its operations in February of 1940.
• Torrential rains: 
  • LA 5.42” in 24 hours
  • Mt. Wilson 11.60” (also records for the month of September
  • Nearly 7” in three hours at Indio from one thunderstorm
  • A thunderstorm preceding the tropical storm dropped 6.45” in 6 hours at Indio on 9.24. 
  • Needles measured 8.50” this (Sept 1939) month, about double the seasonal average.

"Congress passed the resolution and on February 9, 1870, President Ulysses S. Grant signed it into law. A new national weather service had been born within the U.S. Army Signal Service’s Division of Telegrams and Reports for the Benefit of Commerce that would affect the daily lives of most of the citizens of the United States through its forecasts and warnings for years to come."  History of the National Weather Service

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