Dust, silt cause major difficulties for travel

Winds kicking up dust, sand, and silt caused major travel difficulties on Sunday and Monday; Indian Canyon Drive closed at 5:30 Sunday and didn’t reopen for another 24 hours, while Gene Autry Trail closed Monday at 1:30 a.m. and reopened around 2:10 p.m.

Residents encounter plenty of difficulties attempting to navigate the conditions.

“It was like mini tornadoes and the sand was everywhere it looked like a giant fog really,” resident Randy Sturges said.

Difficulties that can ultimately end up being quite dangerous.

“It’s hard someone can hit the breaks in front of you and you won’t see them until you’re on top of them,” said a local automotive services worker.

The string of storms that have hit the Coachella Valley have left behind plenty of silt, silt which can be kicked up easily when windy conditions roll through the valley.

“Unfortunately, when the winds pick up 10 or 15 miles per hour or more…We get that blowing dust condition,” said Palm Springs Assistant City Manager Marcus Fuller.

These larger piles of earth sitting along the side of the roads crossing the washing can’t just be picked up and moved, however. The city of Palm Springs doesn’t plan on moving them due to environmental protection reasons.

The road closures may inconvenience travelers, but they are for a reason, and drivers should know that navigating around barricades is not an advisable decision.

“It might take you an extra five minutes to get where you’re needing to go, but it will be a lot safer and certainly legal,” said PSPD Sergeant Mike Casavan.