Thousand Palms community calls on county to act on flooding issues

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) - Residents around Shadow Mountain Lane in Thousands Palms are urging the Riverside County to fix ongoing flooding issues they say have been ignored for years.

Neighbors point to the Thousand Palms Flood Control Program, a $90 million project currently underway, but argue it provides no flood protection for their area.

Instead of channels, the Thousand Palms Flood Control Program uses four large dikes designed to intentionally flood approximately 4,000 acres of conservation land. The goal, according to project, is to move sand east and south so it can be blown into the Coachella Valley Preserve to support habitat for the fringe-toed lizard.

Residents argue the use of dikes—rather than channels—keeps water on the surface, increases flood risk, and prevents homes from being built, while placing nearby neighborhoods at greater danger.

Residents say no flood protection is planned for the Amity Lane area, even though it is not part of the Thousand Palms Conservation Area. They argue the County has an obligation to protect the homes there.

Community members say they have repeatedly reached out to Supervisor V. Manuel Perez’s office, but claim they have received no response.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.