Coachella Valley Works To Recover Amid Hilary's Devastation

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Coachella Valley was not spared by the extreme effects of Tropical Storm Hilary.

On Monday, crews continued to clear mud, debris and water from Interstate 10, Highway 111 and neighborhoods across the desert. (Updated closure information can be found here.)

In a pocket of Cathedral City near Date Palm Drive, some residences were besieged with 5 feet of mud, according to City Fire Chief Michael Contreras.

Many of those residents who chose to stay in their homes were moving "very slowly through heavy mud," the chief said during a Monday news conference.

As of approximately 3:15 p.m. Monday, fire crews made 46 rescues in Cathedral City over an 18-hour period, according to Contreras.

One of those operations that began Monday morning involved saving 18 elderly patients stuck in a flooded care facility. Due to the difficulty of moving the patients through mud and muck, an earthmover with a scoop attachment was used to transport them.

"We put them in the scoop," Contreras said, noting the rescue amid an "unprecedented" disaster was "not in the book" and no one was injured.

The county of Riverside proclaimed a local emergency Monday because of the storm's impacts. The proclamation could help make the county eligible for potential federal and state assistance, including funding for repairs to damaged areas. The proclamation also allows the county to quickly procure supplies needed for emergency response and repair.

Responders from fire departments, law enforcement agencies, emergency management departments, public works agencies and flood control departments countywide were still assessing the damage caused by the storm.

The Coachella Valley is expected to have taken the worst hit.

"Known damage at this point include a 911 outage in the Coachella Valley, flooding on the 10 Freeway, as well as in neighborhoods, business districts and roadways," according to a news release from the county.

The cities of Cathedral City, Coachella, Desert Hot Springs, Indio, La Quinta, Palm Desert and Palm Springs are among Coachella Valley cities that also proclaimed a local emergency.

Gov. Gavin Newsom proclaimed a local emergency for 11 counties, including Riverside County.

Transportation is a big concern in the desert. Interstate 10 was closed much of Monday due to mud flow, and some lanes remained closed Monday night.

"The Palm Springs Dispatch Center is getting inundated with calls regarding traffic conditions," Palm Springs police said around midday. "As conditions change they will be posted to our social media sites, please refer there for all conditions and do not call regarding road closures."

Indian Canyon Drive was fully engulfed in mud at some sections (see image above).

Officials with the city of Desert Hot Springs initially reported Monday morning that there was no way in or out of the city due to all the road closures.

"Please avoid unnecessary travel and adhere to all road closure signs and detours," Desert Hot Springs city officials said in a statement. "Our road crews are working tirelessly to reopen these routes as soon as it's safe."

Due to the road closures, the SunLine Transit Agency suspended its service indefinitely. It will continue to run life-sustaining service only, officials said.

Schools across the Coachella Valley were closed Monday.

There is concern about health hygiene amid the flooding and hot desert temperatures.

Palm Desert officials urged residents Monday morning to avoid walking, standing, or driving through flood waters, as it can hide dangers including toxins, chemicals, sharp objects, downed power lines, or collapsed roads.

Many trees also came down or were damaged due to the storm, so city officials also asked residents to avoid parks and other landscaped areas as there's a continued possibility of falling branches and debris.

The Mission Springs Water District issued a boil water notice Monday that was affecting about 200 customers in Desert Hot Springs. The areas included Indian Canyon Drive, 13th Avenue, Moonlight Drive, as well as west of Casa and Bluma Drives, MSWD officials said. Customers on Pierson Boulevard, Mission Creek Road, Scenic Crest Circle, and West Indian Canyon Drive were also affected.

"Out of an abundance of caution, MSWD, working with the State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Drinking Water, and the Riverside County Health Department, advises residents in these areas to use boiled tap water or bottled water for drinking and cooking as a safety precaution," MSWD officials wrote in a statement.

The California National Guard reported Monday morning that its 330th Military Police Company responded to Cathedral City and Palm Springs to aid the fire departments during rescue operations.

A care and reception center was available at Desert Mirage High School at 86150 66th Ave. in Thermal. Residents requiring help with their animals were encouraged to call the Riverside County Department of Animal Services at 951-358-7387.