Florida resident here. Rode out more than one hurricane. Please take this storm seriously. Do not dismiss it with "eh, it's only a tropical storm." You have different problems:

One, You're about to get a very big storm in a very big DESERT where the water does not soak in; it just floods.

Two, most homes and buildings in Florida are built to a strict code where the framing is reinforced with metal clamps at the joints (I've seen this.) You Do Not Have This In California. That's why even "just a tropical storm," that Florida would hardly notice, can still do a lot of damage to YOU.

*If your Southern California home/apartment is up to earthquake code, with extra straps and clamps, you may be in luck. Might want to check to be sure.

Before the storm (like right now:) If no garage is available, park your car well out in the open and far away from trees. (My friend's car survived a Category 5 because he left it in the middle of a big parking lot.) Trees are deadly in these storms. Keep everything away from them as much as possible.

Your fridge is just a big insulated cooler box and food will stay good in there for a while with minimal door opening. Right now, fill up some water bottles 3/4 full and freeze them. They'll help to keep things cold in the fridge and you can drink the water if/when they melt.

Fill up your bathtub with clean water. You can use some for drinking if need be, but mostly it's so you can flush your toilet should the water be shut off. No electricity = no power to the pumps at the water main station.

As much light as you can get. Batteries, small solar-powered lamps, whatever. A generator is great but you can use those things if you don't have one.

Get work gloves because you'll be moving debris afterwards.

Have some books to read or something else to do to pass the time (board games, cards, etc.)

During the storm: First and foremost: STAY AWAY FROM THE BEACHES. DO NOT GO THERE TO WATCH THE STORM, EVEN FROM INSIDE A BUILDING. The storm surge is by far the most dangerous part of a hurricane/tropical storm. The water will recede, due to the force of the winds and the low barometric pressure, and then come rushing back all at once. Even a small surge will drag you far out to sea. A bigger one can wipe a whole town off the map.

This may be "just a tropical storm," but remember: It's hitting the desert areas and the desert floor is just like concrete. The water doesn't soak into the soil; it just collects and creates huge floods. That's why desert towns and cities maintain gigantic washes (gullies) that are dry 99% of the time but flood hugely whenever there is a big storm anywhere near. Flooding is a real danger with this "only a tropical storm."

Ride it out in the interior of your house/apartment. Stay well away from windows. These storms can spawn tornadoes and you will have no way of knowing if one is near or is forming up over your head.

After it's over:

Check on your neighbors and see who is still there and who might need help. I saw that there were a lot of single women and elderly people who did not evac ahead of the storm or immediately after. The men got themselves and their families out, while single women and the elderly had no one to help them and nowhere to go so they stayed put.

Set your phone to "text only" to save the battery. Communicate with people well outside the storm zone who can get you good info on what's going on. You will be in something of a blackout and the rumours will fly. Verify everything!

Clear out as much debris as you can from roads, parking lots, your front door, etc. The way needs to be clear for any emergency responders to get through.

Be careful of who's wandering around afterwards. Looters love to move in right after a storm and see what they can get.

I will ask the mods if we can have a dedicated Hurricane Hildawg thread to answer questions for anyone who is there and can get through. As I said, you will need information from those on the outside so you know what's really going on.

Good luck. Bring it, Hildawg! We're ready for you.