Storms hit desert: major flooding in Twentynine Palms; lightning in Palm Springs area
Storms moved across the desert on Tuesday afternoon, with the most serious effects felt in the high desert.
That included flooding along major roads in Twentynine Palms, including Adobe Road from Amboy Road to Condor, a main stretch leading to the Twentynine Palms Marine Corps military training base. (The city recommended taking Valle Vista to Utah Trail for those coming off the base.) Indian Trail was also closed from Adobe Road to Mesquite Springs.
"Indian Trail West of Mesquite Springs is completely under water," the city of Twentynine Palms said on its Facebook page shortly before 4:30 p.m. "Cars are getting stuck in this area, so please do not travel this road."
"Aboard the Marine Corps Base, the Ocotillo gate is closed," the city added. "The main gate is open, however due to heavy congestion, people are not able to get out. Condor gate is also closed."
To the south in the Coachella Valley, the storms were less serious. But an airport weather warning was also issued from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Palm Springs International Airport, with forecasters warning of cloud to ground lightning in the vicinity.
Earlier, the National Weather Service had predicted strong thunderstorms and potential flash flooding near Joshua Tree and farther north in the Mojave National Preserve on Tuesday, with the forecast calling for 60 mph wind gusts and 'quarter size hail.'
Heavy rain was falling near Joshua Tree at 2:45 p.m., with between a quarter-inch and 0.75 inches having already fallen at that point.
A flash flood warning was also issued for northern San Bernardino County through Tuesday afternoon, with between a half-inch and 1.5 inches of rain having already fallen near Mountain Pass just before 3 p.m.
The Nipton and Ivanpah roads near the California-Nevada border are among the areas that could see significant flooding, per the weather service.
In Joshua Tree National Park, any precipitation will likely be relief to firefighters taming the Eureka Fire, which broke out May 30 and spread to 214 acres, causing some temporary road closures in the park as firefighters contained the blaze.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Storms cause high desert flooding; lightning warning in Palm Springs
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