Highway 62 in Morongo Valley has one lane open with a CHP escort. The lane will alternate east / west traffic with an escort from CHP – expect delays.
Monday 8/21 Updates:
All MUSD Schools and offices are closed.
Copper Mountain College is closed today.
As of 6:30AM – via CHP’s website:
- Hwy 247 from Pipes Canyon to Old Victor Road is closed in both east and west directions.
- 10 Freeway is closed in both east and west directions from Palm to Bob Hope intersections
- Hwy 62 from Goodwin Rd to Highway 177 remains closed.
- All closures are being monitored and patrolled by California Highway Patrol.
The California Highway Patrol San Gorgonio Pass Area has closed Interstate 10 eastbound at Haugen-Lehmann Way due to mudslides within California Highway Indio’s Area. All Interstate 10 eastbound traffic is being turned around traffic at Haughen-Lehmann Way. This closure will last for an unknown duration.
Northbound State Route 111 is also closed due to mudslides. Southbound State Route 111 is being evaluated to ensure a safe passage.
Joshua Tree National Park remains closed.
Local Emergency Declared:
At the direction of Board of Supervisors Chair Dawn Rowe, San Bernardino County today declared a Local Emergency in response to Tropical Storm Hilary. The declaration was signed by County Chief Operating Officer Luther Snoke in his capacity as the County’s acting Director of Emergency Services.
Rainfall recorded over the last 24 hours at Z107.7’s Joshua Tree headquarters topped out at 1.35 inches.
Hurricane Hilary is moving north and west, away from our area, though the hi desert remains under a flash flood warning this morning until about 9 a.m. and a flood watch until this afternoon, so Morongo Basin residents should continue to stay home when possible, and travel with caution, especially in low areas and near washes.
Severe flooding impacted low desert communities like Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Cathedral City, and Indio. If you are traveling to those areas, check local traffic reports ahead of travel, and expect possible delays.
This post will continue to get updated as news alerts, weather events and road closures hit the hi desert.
Updated 5:15 p.m. – County Declares State of Emergency
Previously updated 12:13PM – Added Senior Center Shelter in Twentynine Palms
Twentynine Palms Senior Center located at 6539 Adobe Road, will open today at 1 p.m. to provide shelter for those impacted by Tropical Storm Hilary. The senior center will remain open all night to protect residents in
need from the elements.
The senior center will be pet-friendly, but crates are required. Masks are not required but will be provided.
Previously updated Sunday 10:30AM – Added photo of closed west entrance to Joshua Tree National Park. No road closure updates as of this time.
Previously updated Sunday at 6:30 AM – Added San Bernardino County weather hotline number: 909-387-3911
After a relatively mild Saturday – rain began to fall last night in the Morongo Basin and isn’t expected to let up until Monday afternoon.
The National Weather Service reports that the storm will continue to advance northward with heavy rain, winds and flash flooding possible. Even though Hilary is expected to leave the hi desert by Monday – humid monsoon conditions will remain and the hi desert is expecting to get a respite from the summer heat in the following week.
Power outages in 29 Palms have been reported on social media – and as of this morning many are still without power there.
Send news tips, closures, cancellations, photos and other news tips about this weekend’s weather to [email protected]
Closures / Rescheduled Events:
Roads:
- Twentynine Palms
- State Route 62 is closed from 2.9 mi east of Twentynine Palms / at Easy St/ (San Bernardino Co) to the Jct of SR 177 (Riverside Co) – Due to flooding – Motorists are advised to use an alternate route.
Events:
- “Beneath the Desert Sky” Big Horn Sheep Benefit concert at Pappy and Harriet’s has been canceled.
- The Yucca Valley 5k Color Fun Run has been rescheduled to next Saturday.
- The Morongo Unified School District will announce any school closures or school schedule changes on Monday morning.
Joshua Tree No Kill Animal Shelter is closed today – their regular hours start again on Tuesday.
Public Lands and National Parks:
Joshua Tree National Park is closed.
- Joshua Tree National Park is expecting flash floods and have been working on closing the park for the stormy weekend – clearing campgrounds and urging the public to reconsider outdoor activities over the weekend.
- As of Friday Queen Valley Road, Bighorn Pass Complex, and Lost Horse Road are temporarily closed with a full closure expected today.
- Campgrounds will be temporarily closed starting today as well. Park rangers will assess campground facilities and work to reopen them at noon on Tuesday, August 22nd. Campgrounds with flood damage may take longer to reopen.
- All backpacking is temporarily closed until Tuesday, August 22. For all backpacking permits after the closure, please go to recreation.gov.
Big Morongo Canyon Preserve is closed through Monday.
Mojave National Preserve is closed.
Death Valley National Park is closed.
Resources:
Sandbags were available at County Fire Stations – however supplies have been exhausted as fast as they have been restocked in many locations.
Check with neighbors to see if they have extras, or in a pinch garbage bags can be filled with sand for a temporary solution to divert running water.
Hardware stores such as Home Depot have had a fluctuating stock of sand bags both filled and empty.
Photos and Videos:
Photos from listener and stormwatcher Timothy Curr:
View from Pioneertown Friday night around 9PM:
