Storm Rolls Into Coachella Valley, Closes Roads

A winter storm that rolled into the Coachella Valley Friday night has brought less than an inch of rain to most areas. Some area roads were shut down, however, as the rain continued to fall Saturday morning.

Caltrans officials say chains or snow tires were required on all vehicles, including four-wheel-drive vehicles, on State Route 243 from Banning through Idyllwild to State Route 74.

Only one inch of snow was on the ground in Idyllwild, according to a resident there, but a half foot had fallen in higher elevations of the San Jacinto range.

Flooded signs were posted, but police say Gene Autry Drive and Indian Canyon were both open, between Palm Springs and Interstate 10 through the low-lying White Water wash.

Vista Chino was also open Saturday morning between Cathedral City and Palm Springs through the wash. But Cathedral Canyon was closed at its wash crossing because of water over the road.

In Desert Hot Springs, mud was on the road along Dillon, east of Palm Drive. But the road was still open.

In La Quinta, Adams and Dune Palm Drive were both closed Saturday morning at their wash crossings.

In Indio, Oasis was closed at 48th, Arabia was closed at garden and at Plaza.

As of 7:00 a.m., Saturday, rainfall totals in Palm Springs totaled .87 inch, Thermal .91, Twentynine Palms .48 and Yucca Valley 1.62.

Despite the rain, The Riverside County Fair and National Date Festival reported good attendance for opening day Friday. Fair Gates open daily at 10AM. The “Art Under the Umbrellas” art show in Old Town La Quinta was also set to continue as scheduled Saturday from 10AM to 4PM.

Stay with News Channel 3 for the latest storm totals and road closure information.