Flood warning issued as another storm moves into the Valley

The Coachella Valley was under both a dust advisoryand flash flood watch today as a storm brought strong winds and thepossibility of heavy rain into the valley.

The flood watch issued by the National Weather Service will be in effectuntil 10 p.m. Some Coachella Valley roads were closed Tuesday because offlooding, and Araby Drive remained closed today at the Palm Canyon Wash in PalmSprings.

Blowing dust and sand prompted the dust advisory, which stated thatparticle concentrations were reaching unhealthy levels for sensitive people.

“Elevated particulate concentrations are expected to continue thisafternoon due to the possibility of continued thunderstorms in the desert,” according to the South Coast Air Quality Management District.

People in areas with dust and sand in the air were advised to stayindoors and avoid exertion, according to the AQMD.

The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning for parts ofRiverside County, including Banning, Idyllwild and Pine Cove, and areas burnedin the recent Silver and Mountain fires.

The NWS also issued a special advisory for western Riverside County –including Moreno Valley, Hemet, Lake Elsinore and San Jacinto — sayingconditions would be favorable this afternoon for storms that could producefunnel clouds and winds up to 50 mph.