Dust Storm Precedes Another Round Of Storms

PALM DESERT -Dusty conditions hit the Coachella Valley, today, asa Pacific storm of moderate intensity plans to move through Riverside County tonight through Saturday, bringing with it rain and mountain snow, forecasters said.

As of 3pm Friday, Gene Autry Trail at the wash was still open, but there are signs advising drivers to slow down due to blowing sand.

The storm is also expected to bring wind gusts of more than 40 mph in the deserts and mountains, and a slight chance of thunderstorms, according to the National Weather Service.

Around a tenth of an inch of rain is expected to fall in the Coachella Valley, and the snow level will be around 5,500 feet, with 3 to 6 inches of snow possible atop Mount San Jacinto.

Tonight’s storm is expected to clear out by Sunday, but another system could affect Riverside County early next week, according to the Weather Service.

Sheriff’s deputies are fanning out across several foothill neighborhoods north of Los Angeles to urge residents to evacuate ahead of a rainstorm due in the fire-scarred area.

County officials say residents of about 190 homes in La Crescenta and La Canada Flintridge should leave the area by late afternoon Friday as a safety precaution against possible mudslides.

The National Weather Service says up to three quarters of an inch will fall across the area that burned last year in the massive Station fire. But isolated thunderstorms could bring downpours of up to an inch in segments of the area.

A storm that hit earlier this month sent a wall of mud and water into La Canada Flintridge that damaged 43 homes.

Works officials to announce its intent to close all Los Angeles County roads in the Station Fire burn area.

The planned closures of Angeles Forest Highway, Big Tujunga Canyon Road and Upper Big Tujunga Canyon Road may go into effect at noon, according to a Public Works statement issued Thursday.

The roads should reopen after the threat of rain has passed and safety inspections of the roadways have been completed, said Bob Spencer of the county Department of Public Works.

The roads will be closed to all traffic except emergency vehicles and Public Works personnel, Spencer said, adding that residents living in burn areas will not be allowed to use roads until closures are lifted.

“No Parking During Rain Event” restrictions will be enforced on posted streets in La Canada Flintridge and La Crescenta, Spencer said. The parking restrictions are intended to keep vehicles out of the path of possible debris flows.

On Feb. 6, mud, rock and runoff roared out of Mullally Debris Basin and tossed vehicles and multi-ton concrete barriers like toys. The storm surge damaged more than 40 homes and 25 vehicles, according to officials from La Canada Flintridge and the county’s sheriff’s, fire and public works departments.