Coachella Valley Animal Campus reopens with access to previously flooded road
The Coachella Valley Animal Campus in Thousand Palms reopened today along with access to a Cathedral City road that underwent a nearly two-week closure due to flooding from Tropical Storm Hilary.
"I am proud of our resiliency when faced with unplanned impacts and challenges and appreciate the team effort!'' Riverside County Supervisor V. Manuel Perez said in a statement.
The reopening was possible after days of Cathedral City crews working to clear the stormwater from Rio Del Sol Road, according to Perez's office. The road, which provides access to the animal shelter, the nonprofit Animal Samaritans' veterinary clinic and local businesses, was submerged in several feet of water after the storm.
The shelter was closed for nearly two weeks, prompting public and county staff to off-road across the desert to care for pets in the shelter, Perez said.
Riverside County Department of Animal Services director Erin Gettis and Perez welcomed the progress achieved with the reopened road, saying that it was important for animals, staff, Animal Samaritans, local businesses and community members who need the shelter to be accessible.
"Special thanks to the help from the city of Cathedral City, the Riverside County Emergency Management Department, Riverside County Flood Control & Water Conservation District and all the Coachella Valley Animal Campus staff who have spent long hours shuttling staff to the shelter, caring for animals, hosting an off-site adoption event last weekend and vaccine clinic Thursday,'' Perez said in a statement.
