High winds slam the Coachella Valley, significant damage reported
Written by Desert Sun staff
Severe, hurricane-strength winds swept across the Coachella Valley this afternoon, prompting police to urge drivers to stay home and causing significant damage across the valley.
Palm Springs International Airport saw 66 mph wind gusts at 1:48 p.m., the highest wind speed recorded of the day by the National Weather Service.
Strong winds kicked up large dust clouds about 1 p.m. at the Jammin' for Jesus event in the west valley, and uprooted trees and forced at least two road closures in Palm Springs.
It also abruptly ended play at the the Humana Challenge in La Quinta. Officials suspended play shortly after 1 p.m. and eventually called it off for the day at both courses.
During the worst of the wind, tents blew over and buildings were evacuated. The score board on the 18th hole also blew into the water.There is also a report that Palm Springs International Airport may be temporarily shut down. Check back to mydesert.com as more information on this becomes available.
In Palm Springs, police have closed Indian Canyon at the wash between Tramview Road and the train station just south of Interstate 10.
Also closed is Gene Autry Trail in Palm Springs between Via Escuela and I-10.
Motorists are urged to use alternate routes.
There are also reports of power outages across the valley.
At an apartment complex in Palm Springs at Highway 111 and Escoba, strong winds knocked over a carport crushing several cars, although there were no reports of people being injured.
The Desert Sun has reporters across the valley gathering information on this developing story.
Check back to mydesert.com for more updates as news becomes available.
As of 3:45 p.m. here are some of the results of the strong wind gusts:
• Power poles are toppled on North Gene Autry Trail, north of Vista Chino
• Play at the Humana Challenge has been called off, as tents there have been damaged or blown down.
• Part of a covered parking structure on Via Escoba has collapsed on to vehicles, but there do not appear to be injuries, according to unconfirmed reports.
• Police are responding to two separate collisions on North Gene Autry Trail. Police scanner reports say the wind is so severe, police need to wear goggles.
• Trees have toppled across the valley, including at Westfield Palm Desert. Reports are flowing in of trees across cars, roads and parking structures from Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Indio and Cathedral City.
• Southern California Edison has reported power outages to about 5,700 customers, including about 3,000 in the Desert Highland Estates.Other outages were reported in Cathedral City and Palm Desert.
• The weather forecast calls for strong and gusty winds Saturday afternoon and evening as a Pacific strom moves through. Some of the strongest winds are expected along desert slopes. A high wind warning will remain in affect until 10 p.m. Saturday, with the strongest winds this afternoon. The winds are west 25-35 mph with gusts to 65 mph with isolated gusts to 65 mph.
• The Palm Springs International Airport has not canceled flights.
• Palm Springs police are calling in additional officers as the winds have cause "severe problems" throughout the city. There are reports of "several fires," according to police Sgt. Mike Kovaleff, and also residents are concerned about arcing power lines.
• The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway closed due to high winds. The tram is scheduled to reopen on Sunday, Jan. 22.
• Police have closed Vista Chino at the wash and are directing motorists to alternate routes.Source: http://www.mydesert.com/article/20120121/NEWS01/120121004/High-winds-slam-Coachella-Valley-significant-damage-reported?odyssey=mod|breaking|text|Frontpage
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