COACHELLA, Calif. (CNS) — Roads in the Coachella Valley began to reopen Monday after flooding caused by Tropical Storm Hilary forced several closures, including on Interstate 10 from Whitewater to Thousand Palms.

What You Need To Know

  • The Palm Springs Police Department reported at 7:50 a.m. Monday that South El Cielo Road and South Farrell Drive between East Ramon and Mesquite had reopened
  • Shortly before 10 a.m., outbound Highway 111 to westbound Interstate 10 also reopened, while Golf Club and Araby drives at the wash reopened after 10 a.m.
  • Interstate 10 eastbound remained closed from Haugen-Lehman Way to Bob Hope Drive
  • However, due to the major road closures still in place throughout all Coachella Valley cities, the SunLine Transit Agency reported that it had suspended service indefinitely

The Palm Springs Police Department reported at 7:50 a.m. Monday that South El Cielo Road and South Farrell Drive between East Ramon and Mesquite had reopened. Shortly before 10 a.m., outbound Highway 111 to westbound Interstate 10 also reopened, while Golf Club and Araby drives at the wash reopened after 10 a.m.

"The Palm Springs Dispatch Center is getting inundated with calls regarding traffic conditions," Palm Springs police said. "As conditions change, they will be posted to our social media sites, please refer there for all conditions and do not call regarding road closures."

Palm Springs city officials shared photos of Indian Canyon Drive, which was fully engulfed in mud at some sections.

Officials with the city of Desert Hot Springs initially reported at around 7:30 a.m. Monday that there was no way in or out of the city due to all the road closures in the area, but by 9:45 a.m., Palm Drive to Interstate 10, Indian Canyon Drive from Pierson Boulevard to Interstate 10 and westbound Interstate 10 reopened.

"Please avoid unnecessary travel and adhere to all road closure signs and detours," Desert Hot Springs city officials said in a statement. "Our road crews are working tirelessly to reopen these routes as soon as it's safe."

Mud inundated some streets in Cathedral City near Date Palm Drive, and video from the scene showed multiple vehicles trapped in the muck, including at least one recreational vehicle. The mud also pushed against multiple homes, but the extent of damage to those homes was unclear. One family told local media they got stranded in the mud and spent much of the night on top of their swamped vehicle until crews were able to bring them to safety.

Related Stories

Interstate 10 eastbound remained closed from Haugen-Lehman Way to Bob Hope Drive.

The freeway closure was due to mudslides in the eastern Coachella Valley, according to California Highway Patrol public information officer Jason Montez, who added that eastbound traffic was being turned around and it was unknown how long the closure was expected to last.

However, due to the major road closures still in place throughout all Coachella Valley cities, the SunLine Transit Agency reported that it had suspended service indefinitely. It will continue to run life-sustaining service only, officials said.