The City of Palm Springs issued a community advisory on August 17 in preparation for the potential impacts of Hurricane Hilary, expected to hit Coachella Valley on Friday.
"If any area is flooded, turn around and never drive around a barricade or road closure because local responders use them to safely direct traffic out of flooded areas," said Palm Springs Fire Chief Paul Alvarado. "We want to avoid swift water rescues, which put the lives of both drivers and public safety at risk."
The City of Palm Springs has issued a community advisory urging residents to prepare for the potential impacts of Hurricane Hilary, expected to hit the Coachella Valley this weekend. According to the City, residents should prepare for potential rain, flooding, and high winds.
Anticipated by the National Weather Service, the storm has the potential to deliver up to five inches of rain to Palm Springs, while the San Jacinto Mountains might experience as much as seven to nine inches, raising concerns about significant mountain run-off. Showers are expected on Saturday, followed by intensified rainfall throughout Sunday and into the evening across the Coachella Valley. The most substantial downpour is projected for Monday morning.
In the City's community advisory, Chief Alvarado shared essential guidance for safety and preparedness. Firstly, it is advised to refrain from driving in hazardous weather conditions marked by heavy rainfall. Additionally, it's crucial to avoid traversing bridges situated over swiftly flowing water, as the force of such waters can unexpectedly compromise bridge stability. In the event that your vehicle becomes trapped in rapidly moving water, it is recommended to remain inside the car. However, if water levels within the vehicle are rising, moving to the roof is advised.
Under no circumstances should individuals attempt to walk, swim, or drive through flooded areas—a reminder to exercise caution and heed the "Turn around. Don’t Drown!" principle. Lastly, Chief Alvarado suggests enrolling in the City of Palm Springs public safety alerts, accessible through the palmspringsca.gov website, to stay informed about road closures, weather-related occurrences, and more. Registration details can be found under the "In the Spotlight" section.
Empty sandbags will be available for residents to prepare for potential flooding at all five Palm Springs fire stations from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Sand will be available for pick up in the pit behind City Hall.
Palm Desert residents can pick up sandbags at all three Palm Desert fire stations, with a limit of 10 bags per resident. The City of Palm Desert has ordered 10 tons of sand, which will be available at Fire Station 67 on Mesa View Drive after 11:00 a.m. on Friday.
Coachella residents will be able to obtain sandbags at the Senior Center on 7th Street on Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Sand will be available outside of the Corporate Yard at 53462 Enterprise Way.
La Quinta residents can pick up empty sandbags at City Hall from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., or from City Corporate Yard from 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Sand and empty sandbags will be available at the City Corporate Yard, Fire Station 70, and Fire Station 93.