The City of Desert Hot Springs has disclosed plans to repair three major roads that were significantly damaged by Tropical Storm Hilary. The city estimates that the restoration of Little Morongo Road, Indian Canyon Drive, and Dillon Road will be completed within the next four months.
According to a post on the City of Desert Hot Springs' Facebook page, the city is "diligently repairing the damages" caused by Tropical Storm Hilary, which struck the Coachella Valley in August. The city expressed gratitude for its residents' patience and support during this challenging period of repairs.
In terms of timelines for completion, the city's Facebook post indicates that repairs on Little Morongo Road are expected to conclude by January 2024. Indian Canyon Drive should be restored by March 2024, while Dillon Road is projected to be repaired by April 2024.
A press release issued by the City of Desert Hot Springs in late August 2023 highlighted the significant impact of Tropical Storm Hilary. Despite a swift cleanup operation enabling almost all main city streets to reopen, sections of Little Morongo Road, North Indian Canyon Drive, and Dillon Road were destroyed due to unprecedented rainfall from the storm. These sections have remained closed since then. The estimated cost for rebuilding these roads stands at $22.4 million.
Riverside County also released a statement last August detailing the extensive damage caused by Tropical Storm Hilary. According to their report, rainfall rates approached a 50-year storm for the Coachella Valley floor areas and escalated to a 1,000-year event in some mountain canyon areas. The county reported overall damages exceeding $126 million, with road and bridge damages accounting for $82.7 million.