Gene Autry Trail Still Closed After Wind Storm

Gene Autry Trail remained closed to traffic Tuesday in Palm Springs between Interstate 10 and Via Escuela after a series of power poles snapped and power lines were blown down along the normally busy roadway.

Southern California Edison officials are working around-the-clock to get the power poles knocked down, back up and the area back open.

Residents also had to deal with their own damage.

“I was sitting out earlier, enjoying the little breeze,” said a Palm Springs woman, after she watched the roof of her mobile home rip off; the porch and carpet were also damaged. “It was just gusts. Just gusts of wind.”

“Oh, it was unbelievable,” said John Unger, a Canadian who has been visiting the Coachella Valley for more than 15 years.

He saw toppled trees that blocked garage doors, barely missing the cars, and debris scattered across the streets.

“It all came so fast,” said Unger. “I thought snow was the next thing we were going to get.”

Not all of the damage major, but there was enough to muddle some landscapes.

A stop sign was also Via Escuela was blown over, and road closed signs at Gene Autry and Via Escuela forced drivers to look for alternate routes.

“Visibility was bad (and) poles were down,” said Michaela Daniel, a driver. “There were like five wrecked cars along the side of the road.”

Drivers were urged to avoid the area all together, as authorities worked to repair the 15 power lines downed by the high winds.

Southern California Edison said 35 workers will work the power lines until late Tuesday to early Wednesday morning, but power has been re-routed, so no customers are without electricity.

“It’s annoying,” said Daniel. “I’m gonna go over and check out Indian (Canyon).”

Golf rounds were also disrupted as courses were turned into desert fields.

“The hazards out here today really aren’t the bunkers,” said Jerry Parden. “They’re the fallen trees and stuff like that.”