Riverside County and the Inland Empire got a slight break from the stormy weather Monday morning, one day after multiple people had to be rescued from raging floodwaters in parts of the region, and forecasts predicted more heavy rains expected later Monday followed by another storm later this week.
“Light showers will continue this morning along and west of the mountains,” said the National Weather Service. “A weaker Pacific storm will move through the area this afternoon through Tuesday evening, bringing widespread rain and mountain snowfall for areas above 5,000 feet.”
Spotty showers are expected to continue Wednesday and a third storm could hit the area by late Thursday or Friday, though details with this system still remain uncertain.
Showers were expected to slow down Monday afternoon and into Monday evening across most of the Inland Empire, one day after multiple people had to be rescued from raging floodwaters in parts of the region, forecasters said.
“Scattered showers will continue today, becoming less widespread and weaker in the afternoon,” the National Weather Service announced.
At the height of the storm Saturday, multiple roads were flooded including Temescal Canyon Road in Temescal Valley, 29 Palms Highway in Palm Springs, North Indian Canyon Road at the wash, E. Vista Chino at the wash and North Gene Autry Trail at the wash in Palm Springs. North Indian Canyon Road, E. Vista Chino and North Gene Autry Trail at the wash were all temporarily closed. As of Sunday afternoon only E. Vista Chino had been reopened.
A mudslide was reported on Varner Road in Cathedral City, which prompted the temporary closure of the road between Date Palm and Mountain View roads. A total of 30 vehicles were left immobilized by the mudslide and 32 people were rescued, according to the Cathedral Police Department. Varner Road remained closed as of Sunday afternoon with no estimated time of reopening.
Another mudslide was also reported on Worsley Road and 20th Avenue in the area of North Palm Springs where rocks and debris were on the road and the edge of the roadway was compromised but remained passable, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Firefighters rescued three people stranded on a sandbag along the Santa Ana River and two people and a dog were rescued from floodwaters in Thousand Palms on Saturday. No major injuries were reported from either rescue.
Snow levels were predicted to hold at roughly 7,000 feet into Sunday evening.
Winds were expected to increase later in the day, with gusts up to 40 mph in mountains and passes including the San Gorgonio Pass.
High temperatures in Riverside County will stay in the 60s this week, with most overnight lows in the 40s.