Varner Road Shut Down Due To Flooding, Mud

The afternoon downpour that swept across the Coachella Valley on Tuesday left a debris flow on the roadway, which forced crews to shut down a major roadway on Tuesday.

Callers to News Channel 3 first reported Varner Road between Date Palm and Ramon was covered with debris, sand and mud.

The California Highway Patrol reports as much as 18 inches of mud collected along some stretches of the roadway, which trapped 2 cars. That left them no choice but to close the road down to traffic.

Until further notice, crews have shut down Varner Road between Edom Hill Road to Mountain View Road, said Cathedral City spokeswoman Lynn Mallotto.

The closure was expected to last overnight and into Wednesday.

The number two and three lanes of southbound Date Palm Drive in Cathedral City have been shut down between Vista Chino and Ramon Road because of flooding, says city spokeswoman Lynn Mallotto.

Other roads in Indio were also restricted due to flooding. Authorities urge drivers to exercise extreme caution when out in the elements.

Stay with KESQ.com and News Channel 3 for the latest developments.