TO CLOSE

A storm during the night dropped more than an inch of rain over parts of the Coachella Valley. Palm Springs and Desert Hot Springs were among the most affected communities.
Colin Atagi / The desert sun

Buy a photo

FILE – A vehicle crosses the flooded intersection of Farrell Drive and Ramon Road in Palm Springs.(Photo: Colin Atagi / The desert sun)Buy a photo

Does anyone even own an umbrella in the desert? Do stores even sell these things here? Well, get ready, because when it rains, it flows.

The Coachella Valley has low chances of showers and thunderstorms on Sunday afternoon, with a high temperature close to 94, according to the National Meteorological Service, but real water distribution works do not will probably start only on Tuesday.

Rainfall and thunderstorms persist until Wednesday with a high of 89 and a low of 72 at the beginning of the week.

Sunny skies will begin to emerge and temperatures will rise in the mid-1990s by Thursday morning.

SUBSCRIBE TO FACEBOOK NEWS: Message us here to get started

RELATED: Doomed to Fail: The fatal flaws of the Tex wash bridge

RELATED: Desert Chapel struggles to repair his gym after rain damage of $ 150,000, displaced sports teams

Hurricane Rosa brings rain

Hurricane Rosa is a tropical system located in southern Baja California with winds of up to 140 mph. The Category 4 hurricane is moving northwest, followed by a planned north turn Saturday night. At the beginning of next week, Rosa should turn to the northeast and increase her speed of advancement. By then, it is likely that Rosa will be demoted to a tropical storm or tropical depression. The strongest winds that are now blowing from the hurricane extend outward to 40 miles. Surf waves will impact southern California over the weekend. Swell is likely to cause waves and tear currents threatening life, so swimmers and surfers must stay out of the water. the meteorological service said.

The heaviest rains are expected to hit the southern California desert and part of Arizona on Tuesday, with 2 to 4 inches of rain possible during the storm.

Is it unusual?

Yes. We live in a desert. Rain is not a typical event.

In addition, the tropical systems of September do not generally show an annual pattern, but generally occur every two years, every three years. September is generally dry for all of Southern California, said Alex Tardy, a weather forecaster at the National Weather Service. However, in September 2016 and September 2017, similar tropical storms were observed in the same area, breaking with the usual pattern.

There will be floods

This is not a typical desert rain, so there will be at least mild flooding in the dry-washing areas and the roadways will be wet. Tuesday will probably see the most floods.

Debris flows from sacred fire and Cranston sites leaving slopes and mountains near homes in Temescal Valley, Elsinore Lake and Idyllwild, where burned areas have little capacity to absorb water , says Riverside County news release. Debris flows move quickly and can create deadly landslides.

"Debris flows move faster than a person can run or drive and they do not always stay in waterways or roads," according to the press release.

Those living in areas of possible landslides can sign up for evacuation alerts at RivCoReady.org/AlertRivCo.

According to ready.gov, when a flash flood occurs, it can arrive quickly and without warning. Pay attention to the alert systems on your phone or TV and react accordingly. Here are a few tips:

  • Before going out in case of flood, make sure you have enough fuel in your car in an emergency.
  • It will be best to avoid low roads, such as wash tracks, and prepare your house if it is exposed to flooding. Always be careful when driving in case of rain or flood. In order for your vehicle to be carried away, just a foot of water in motion. Never walk or drive in flood waters.
  • Stay away from electrical wires and power lines and report them to those in charge.
  • If you think your home is likely to be flooded, move your belongings to specific locations. Protect your home with sandbags to prevent water from entering and reduce the erosion of your property. Limited quantities of sandbags and sand are available at local fire stations. Visit RVCFire.org for more information.

Read or share this story: https://desert.sn/2NL9nW5