In 1979, Another earthquake destroyed many of the old buildings in the downtown business area, including City Hall.

The city was slow to rebuild the business district following the quake, taking several years.

In June 2014, a McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II from Marine Corps Air Station Yuma crashed in a residential area.

[7] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.9 square miles (15 km2), all land.

[8] In this region, the geology is dominated by the transition of the tectonic plate boundary from rift to transverse fault.

The southernmost strands of the San Andreas Fault connect the northernmost extensions of the East Pacific Rise.

Consequently, the region is subject to earthquakes, and the crust is being stretched, resulting in a sinking of the terrain over time.

Imperial averages just about 3 inches of rain annually, with December being the wettest month.

The North American Monsoon typically increases the humidity from July through September.

This leads to daily thunderstorms that can bring hail, downpours, lightning, and dust storms more commonly known as Haboob.

During the eastern Pacific hurricane season, hurricanes occasionally track up the Baja California Peninsula and bring remnants of Tropical Storms through the desert that can result in flash flooding and heavy widespread thunderstorms.

In the coldest month, December, the normal high temperature is 67.5 degrees with a low of 42.3.

In the warmest month, August, the normal high temperature is 104.5 degrees with a low of 78.4.

The annual California Mid-Winter Fair takes place in Imperial, often in February, and receives over 100,000 visitors.

[citation needed] The California Mid-Winter Fairgrounds is located in the heart of Imperial.

The fair lasts for a total of 10 days and is held at the end of February or beginning of March each year.

The fairgrounds will host other events during the year such as; festivals, barbecues, car races, concerts, trade shows, and private parties.

The synergy between local businesses and the community has attracted record crowds of up to 13,000 people throughout the region.