50 power poles knocked down in Thermal after monsoonal storm; 2,000 people sheltering in place without power
A monsoonal storm Friday evening knocked down 48 power poles in Thermal.
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According to CAL FIRE, power poles are down along Harrison Street between Avenue 58 and Avenue 63. CAL FIRE originally reported 40 poles down, but that number grew to 50 by midnight.
Crews with the Imperial Irrigation District de-energize the power lines.
CAL FIRE confirmed that approximately 2,000 people are sheltering in place without power. It's unknown how long they will remain without power.
IID and Riverside County Emergency Management Department will have a shelter open Saturday morning at Desert Mirage High School.
According to the California Highway Patrol, there were multiple reports of power poles down along Harrison Street, including one instance in the area where a pole struck a car.
There is no word on how many customers have been impacted by this.
Harrison Street is shut down in the area.
IID reported outages in La Quinta, Mecca, Indio, and Coachella. There was no estimated time for power to return.
OUTAGE: We are currently experiencing a power outages in Thermal, La Quinta, Mecca, Indio, and Coachella. We do not have an estimated restoration time. Please check back for updates. Thank you for your patience.
— IID (@IIDatWork) August 19, 2023
The storm wasn't part of Hurricane Hilary. It was a monsoonal storm that came in Friday evening.
Before Hilary nears, we still have storms on the radar to watch.
— Haley Clawson KESQ (@KESQHaley) August 19, 2023
A Flash Flood Warning has been issued for Riverside Co. near Rice Rd and San Bernardino Co, along HWY 62 east of Twentynine Palms.
These storms are moving north towards I-40. #CAwx pic.twitter.com/F5BpcPcrUt
Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates.
