Storm road closures affecting Valley businesses

The Coachella Valley Brewing Co. is playing catch-up to make up for lost time, customers and money caused by the mud from Monday’s storm.

“Pretty much we’ve had three customers in the past two days, so it’s not real good for business when people can’t get to your location,” said Christopher Anderson, CEO of CV Brewing Co.

The problem is that Rio Del Sol Road is the only road that leads to at least 50 businesses in the Thousand Palms business park and it’s covered in at least 4 feet of mud.
Now, the only way in and out for employees and customers is a dirt lot on Corporate Way. Some drivers took the bumpy ride and others parked and walked across Wednesday.

Fred Saunders, the CEO of Animal Samaritans said it’s been a mess for pets and their owners to get to the vet.

“It’s not safe going over this rutted lot we have to go over. There’s no convenient way of getting here,” said Saunders.

Riverside County Supervisor John Benoit said all of the county’s resources are being used to clear the mud and debris from major roads across the desert, including Rio Del Sol and Ramon Road in Thousand Palms. Cathedral City crews are helping as well.

“You can’t move it when it’s wet,” said Benoit. “On top of that, we don’t know what the road condition is until we get through the mud. It could make further problems.”

The county hopes to have most of the roads open by this weekend.

“Hopefully the sooner the better. We have a business to run,” said Anderson.