Some Cathedral City Residents Allowed Into Their Flood-Damaged Homes

CATHEDRAL CITY, CA — Cathedral City officials announced Thursday that some residents were able to leave their homes and reenter their neighborhoods after being unable to do so for days due to flooding from Tropical Storm Hilary.

Residents living along Horizon Road were able to navigate in and out of their homes Thursday morning, according to Cathedral City Communications & Events Manager Ryan Hunt. He said crews and supporting agencies worked overnight and cleared mud from the roadways, particularly along Date Palm Drive between Vista Chino and 30th Avenue, which opened two lanes in each direction by 4:30 p.m. Thursday.

Road closures still in place in Cathedral City are:
-- Vista Chino between Date Palm Drive and Avenida Maravilla; and
-- Los Gatos Road at Date Palm Drive to Avenida La Vista.

Crews expect to begin sweeping arterial streets next week and move into residential neighborhoods soon after, according to Hunt.

City officials asked residents who are concerned about their properties being deemed uninhabitable to call the Building Department at 760- 770-0340 for guidance about safely occupying the building and about permits needed during cleanup.

Hunt said crews with the city's public works, police and fire departments, along with supporting agencies, progressed into the recovery stage of storm response Tuesday as they continued responding to areas impacted by flooding.

"I've been so inspired by this community's ability to come together during this unprecedented tropical storm, and I assure you that our staff is working aggressively in its response to cleanup and recovery efforts," Mayor Rita Lamb said in a statement Tuesday.

People looking to volunteer and help with the cleanup efforts on private properties can report to Vista Chino near Panorama Road and Horizon Road to a designated Volunteer Command Post Hunt said. Cathedral City economic development director Stone James and the city's code compliance manager Justin Gardiner will be on site to coordinate.

Instructions will be given after check-in and volunteers will be moved into clean-up areas before checking out with city staff, according to Hunt, who encouraged volunteers to take gloves, shovels and wheelbarrows if possible, and to show up prepared with plenty of water and sunscreen and dress for high heat conditions.

City Manager Charles McClendon declared a local emergency Monday due to unprecedented rainfall and flooding of roadways.

The Palm Springs Air Museum set up a fundraiser Wednesday to help residents of Cathedral City recover from the storm, according to museum officials, who said that anyone who donates $200 or more will receive a free ride on its C-47 Skytrain.

"During these difficult times, our hearts extend to all in our community who've felt the impact of the recent storm," museum Vice Chairman Fred Bell said in a statement. "The Palm Springs Air Museum wants to be a beacon of hope and solidarity as the community faces adversity."

The fundraiser was set up at indiegogo.com/projects/tropical-storm-hilary-flood-relief-efforts#/ with a goal to raise $20,000 for Cathedral City residents. The museum had raised over $6,000 by Thursday morning.