Wet weather and lighting spark problems across the desert

Dark clouds swarmed the Coachella Valley and rain drenched some cities such as Desert Hot Springs.

“The weather’s been so unusual. We had a huge old storm this morning, huge thunder and lightning,” said Maeve Chang, of Desert Hot Springs.

Lighting struck a palm tree and caused it to light up flames on Leith Ave. in the Mission Lakes Country Club in Desert Hot Springs, west of little Morongo Road.

“We saw smoke and firefighters putting out the fire on the palm tree,” said Kelley Gallegos, of Desert Hot Springs.

Gallegos lives in the neighborhood and sent us photos during the fire fight. We caught the palm tree mess that was left behind.

“It was pretty bad up here. The storm was really bad, some flooding. Now it’s dry and sunny,” said Gallegos.

Ron Morgan sent us photos of Yucca tree in the Hi-Desert that also caught on fire from a lighting strike.

Bruce Barrett and his dog Sky were on their way out of the Coachella Valley headed to Santa Monica. He said he appreciates the cooler, wet weather.

“It was just thrilling, but it was beautiful,” said Barrett, of Desert Hot Springs.”God willing we’ll get to where we’ve got to go.”

“I’m glad we had the storm. I don’t want it to do any damage but hopefully everything will be over with now,” said Chang.

The summer storms aren’t over yet.

Cal Fire officials warn you to never cross through moving water, whether you’re on foot or in your car.

Avoid bodies of water, power lines and trees during lighting storms. For more information, click here.