Wind wreaks havoc across Coachella Valley, causing several road closures
High winds are causing major problems today throughout the Coachella Valley.
Overturned Big Rig
A tractor-trailer overturned on eastboundInterstate 10 at Date Palm Drive amid strong winds today.
The noninjury accident was reported about 9:50 a.m., and the No. 3 and 4eastbound lanes were closed for about two hours to accommodate theinvestigation, according to the California Highway Patrol.
“They don’t know how long it’ll take to get that thing out of there,”CHP Officer Donovan Rice said about 11:15 a.m.
Power Line Problems
A power pole snapped in the wash area betweenCathedral City and Palm Springs today as high winds buffeted the CoachellaValley.
Authorities closed Vista Chino east of Gene Autry trail and west ofLandau Boulevard while Southern California Edison crews fixed the snapped pole.
Westbound motorists were asked use southbound Landau to westbound RamonRoad, and eastbound travelers were asked to use southbound Gene Autry toeastbound Ramon, Palm Springs police Sgt. Mike Kovaleff said.
Cathedral City officials said Vista Chino would be closed until furthernotice because of the wind and blowing sand.
Extreme Wind Expected All Day
A high wind warning is in effect in the Coachella Valley until 9 p.m,with the strongest winds expected this afternoon. Winds will make drivingdifficult, especially for high-profile vehicles, and blowing dust and sandcould “reduce visibility to near zero at times,” according to the NationalWeather Service.
Gusts of 80 mph were reported this morning in Sky Valley, according tothe NWS.
We will be updating wind-related events on this page throughout the day.
Click here to see more pictures of today’s wind-related events.
