A powerful, slow moving thunderstorm brought rains, heavy at times, to Twentynine Palms yesterday afternoon. The storm was the most severe about 20 miles east when the storm stalled, bringing up to two inches of rain and flooding to State Route 62. The CHP closed State Route 62 east of Twentynine Palms for a short time. The City of Needles took the brunt of the storm with severe flooding reported. Lightning struck a palm tree about 2 p.m. at Desert Dunes and Adobe Road in Twentynine Palms, and started a fire that was quickly put out by Twentynine Palms fire fighters. About 150 people were without power in the Twentynine Palms area. The power went out at about 3 p.m. Edison crews had power restored at about 9 p.m. There were no reports of major damage or injury.
