In late September 1858, a hurricane formed over the eastern Pacific Ocean, concurrent with a moderate El Niño event spanning 1857–58.

On October 2, it neared Southern California while weakening, due to cool sea surface temperatures and strong wind shear.

[1] In San Diego, heavy rain fell, and property damage was significant; many homes lost their roofs, and a few even collapsed.

Los Angeles and Visalia noted large amounts of rain, as much as 7 inches (180 mm), but wind strength as low.

[1] Two researchers with NOAA, Michael Chenoweth and Christopher Landsea reconstructed the path of the hurricane using accounts from newspapers of the strong winds.