Hilary aftermath haunting residents in the Tri Palms Estates months after the storm
Residents at the Tri-Palm Estates and Country Club in Thousand Palms are sharing their concerns about the aftermath and damage from Hilary. They are concerned with the piles of dirt that HOA crews have moved to the washes between Ramon Road and Colonial and Colonial and Pine Valley.
"Quit dumping stuff in the wash and to be concerned about the homeowners," says Vickie Colony, a Tri Palms Estate homeowner.
"I'm just trying to find out who was responsible so that it gets taken care of in a timely fashion", says Julie Schulleri, a Tri Palms Estate homeowner. "I mean, this started back in August."
Vickie Colony and Julie Schulleri have shared their concerns about piles of mud and debris that they say were moved to the wash by their HOA but never removed.
"When the water comes down and starts rushing, they're going to continue on, go through the golf course and the community", says Schulleri.
Schulleri says when she hears that rain is coming, she hopes it doesn't affect everyone again.
She says she has pleaded with the country club for a solution.
"As long as this dirt is in the wash, where it should not be, it's going to continue," says Schulleri. "And they can pile it, they can keep piling it."
It rained on Friday, the Tri Palms Estates was flooded, and some people were stuck.
"The ruts are really deep," says Schulleri. "And you don't really know where to drive. It's a crapshoot."
The residents had multiple videos and photos following Friday's rainy day.
"Sometimes I can't get out of a driveway," says Kim Gieser, a Tri Palms Estates renter. "I usually walk with a cane right now. And I can't even walk out here because it's so slippery."
These residents say they have not been told a solution but won't stop fighting for answers.
" We have floods but that's why the washers are built," says Schulleri. "Right? So you have to maintain them. Otherwise, it's gonna continue it's just gonna be a continual cycle."
A resident shared with News Channel 3 that when it rains, mud and debris flow into some of the homes. Hers was not impacted but says others in the community still have mud from Friday's storm.
We reached out to the Coachella Valley Water District and learned they are not responsible for the mud and debris in the wash in the community.
CVWD:
CVWD has not moved any dirt in that community or the wash. It looks like the wash in the area described could be private property. In addition, flood control within the country club is the responsibility of the HOA and homeowners.
We are not sure which crews moved dirt and who they work for. We could research after the new year when everyone returns to the office.
We also reached out to Riverside County:
It was determined the address provided by the resident is not under county jurisdiction and county cannot enter nor mitigate on private property.
