County Agencies Respond to Eastern Coachella Valley Flooding
September 1, 2023
MECCA – Riverside County Emergency Management Department staff deployed to the eastern Coachella Valley communities Saturday morning to conduct assessments of damage from yesterday’s flash floods and coordinate with county departments and other agencies to address impacts.
The Coachella Valley was under a flood watch Friday afternoon and early evening. The southeastern part of the valley received two, and in some communities, nearly three inches of rain.
As flooded areas have subsided, agencies can now see the damage from the flooding. Several roadways and exit ramps were completely washed away. The County Transportation Department has posted a list of new road closures for county roads affected by flooding, all of which are in the eastern Coachella Valley. These closures are:
• Hammond Road in Mecca, from Grant Street to Avenue 68
• 72nd Avenue in North Shore, westerly to Sea View Drive
• Fillmore Street in Thermal, from Avenue 52 to Avenue 54
• Pierce Street in Oasis, from Avenue 66 to Harrison Street
• Harrison Street in Oasis, from Avenue 70 to Avenue 81
• Johnson Street in Oasis, from Avenue 81 to Avenue 82.
The Riverside County Emergency Management Department is coordinating with Riverside County Fire Department/CAL FIRE, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), the Riverside County Transportation Department, the Coachella Valley Water District and the Imperial Irrigation District to address known and reported damage as well as any safety concerns.
“The eastern Coachella Valley was hit hard by the flash flooding and the images of the roads being flooded and parts of roads missing are devastating considering what recently just happened with Hurricane Hilary,” said Supervisor V. Manuel Perez. “We are working to quickly address these impacts on our communities which have long needed more and better infrastructure. I want to thank our first responders for being out yesterday to keep our communities safe during the storms.”
Riverside County reminds all to use extreme caution on roadways. Do not attempt to cross flooded roadways and avoid flooded areas. Turn Around, Don’t Drown!
Photos taken in the Thermal and Mecca communities are attached.
Supervisor V. Manuel Perez represents the Fourth Supervisorial District on the Riverside County Board of Supervisors. The largest district in the county by geography, the 4th District covers eastern Riverside County, from Whitewater, stretching across the entire Coachella Valley south to the Salton Sea, up Highway 74 to Idyllwild and the mountain communities, and heading east of the Coachella Valley to Blythe and the Colorado River.
Supervisor Perez’s office hours are9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
