UPDATE: Many roads shut down by flooding as Tropical Storm Hilary hammers Coachella Valley

Paul Albani-Burgio, Palm Springs Desert Sun
Updated ·2 min read
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Many roads across the Coachella Valley were shut down Sunday evening as Tropical Storm Hilary hit with full force, bringing more than two inches of flooding rains.

Around 7:45 p.m., the California Highway Patrol shut down the I-10 freeway in both directions between Bob Hope Drive and Gene Autry Trail due to flooding. The freeway currently has an "unknown ETA to re-open."

Northbound lanes of Highway 111 are now closed as routes out of Palm Springs continue to be limited.

The northbound lanes of Highway 111 are the latest major stretch of roadway to close because of flooding, the city of Palm Springs announced Sunday evening. The city said that while the northbound lanes are closed at Gateway Drive, the southbound lanes of the divided roadway remain open.

The closure means the only remaining routes out of Palm Springs are on the south side of the city. Those routes include Ramon Road and eastbound Highway 111. Indian Canyon Drive, Gene Autry Trail, Vista Chino and Dinah Shore Drive are all closed because of flooding.

While Ramon Road remains open, a video sent by Palm Springs Fire showed significant flooding on the roadway.

Palm Springs Police have asked people to avoid driving in the city unless it is absolutely necessary.

In Palm Springs, Farrell Drive was closed between Ramon Road and Mesquite Road, El Cielo Road was closed at Mesquite Avenue and the Dinah Shore Bridge was closed from Palm Springs to Cathedral City. Golf Club Drive is also closed at the Whitewater Wash.

Palm Springs police had already closed Vista Chino, Indian Canyon Drive and Gene Autry Trail where they cross the wash.

In Cathedral City, police closed Cathedral Canyon Drive and Dinah Shore Drive.

And in the east valley, 66th Street was closed between Van Buren Street and Jackson Street, while Box Canyon Road from Interstate 10 to the All American Canal was closed in the Mecca area.

Palm Springs police Lt. Gustavo Araiza advised residents to avoid travel in the city unless absolutely necessary and to drive with extreme caution if they must.

“We don’t need collisions tying up resources,” he said.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Many roads flooded as Tropical Storm Hilary hammers Coachella Valley