Roads flooded in Palm Springs

Heavy rains flooded several roads in Palm Springs today, leading to closures in the hardest-hit areas.

Palm Springs Police Sgt. Mitch Spike said parts of Gene Autry Trail, Indian Canyon Drive and Vista Chino were shut down this afternoon. Araby Road was closed but later reopened. Steady rains also caused the Whitewater Wash to overflow, sending the runoff into the streets.

“The roads are blocked on both sides of the washes, so drivers need to take alternative routes,” Spike said, adding that the rest of the city’s streets were wet but passable.

    City communications director Amy Blaisdell said that despite the heavy rains and flooded roads, there had been no serious traffic jams.

    “This kind of rain is out of the ordinary for Palm Springs, but people living here know they shouldn’t drive in the wash area when it does rain,” she said.

   Flooding was also reported on 66th Avenue in Thermal earlier in the day and on Reche Canyon Road between Colton and Moreno Valley.

--David Kelly