A little over 100 years ago the rulers of San Diego and Tijuanatowns of USA and Mexico respectively, were desperate due to a devastating four-year drought that threatened to turn both towns into desert. However, as strange as it may sound, only those on the American side sought a solution. They contacted Charles Hatfielda sewing machine salesman who had gained some fame for having managed, a few years ago, to make it rain in The Angels. A flood was about to occur.
In the US they did not wonder if so much rain would be harmful
However, desperation made the authorities of San Diego They did not wonder if generating rain with Hatfield’s method was safe, so without further ado they agreed to give him, when the work was finished, the 10 thousand dollars he requested, plus all the facilities for the performance of his work.
After placing various chemicals in a tank elevated, Charles Hatfield achieved what few believed was possible: on January 15, 1916, he made it rain, ending a four-year drought; two days were enough for the prey Morena in San Diego, that had been the commitment.
The flood in San Diego and Tijuana
But other dams that were not contemplated to be filled at first were also filled. The rain continued to take on the proportions of a deluge because it continued on the 16th, 17th, 18th and 19th of that month.
People started to get scared. In Tijuana the rivers were saturated with water, entire towns became lakes and some hills began to break away, the blessing had become a curse.
Colonies became lakes and the racecourse was ruined
Everyone begged for the rains to stop, and it did, the storm subsided for a week, but came back stronger to conclude the disaster that had already begun.
It destroyed the recently inaugurated Tijuana racetrack, as well as ranches, missions, animals, people, houses. Despite the severity, the media at the time reported 60 deaths in San Diego and only two on the Mexican side. Of course it was all a counting error, the victims on this side were more.
“God caused the flood, not Hatfield”
The severity of the disaster was such that it was not clear whether the economic losses had been greater with the drought or the flood.
Perhaps that was the reason why San Diego government He decided not to pay a single dollar of the 100 thousand that was promised to the rainmaker.
Of course, Charles Hatfield demanded payment and took his case to the judge, who ended up telling him that he supported not paying him because the rain had fallen thanks to God and not him.
By Joshua Huerta
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