[californiadisasters] Significant Flooding in Mecca, CA, Late Last Summer

Significant Flooding in Mecca, CA
 
By Tina Stall - California Cumulonimbus

A n upper-level low pressure area moving slowly northeast over the lower deserts, and an associated weak disturbance high above the surface triggered a slow moving thunderstorm in the lower Coachella Valley near the community of Mecca, CA (approximately 30 miles southeast of Palm Springs, CA) just after midnight PDT on September 11, 2012.

The storm remained nearly stationary from approximately 1:00 AM through 9:00 AM, and with abundant moisture present extending from the surface to about 25,000 feet the storm produced 3.0 to 5.5 inches of rainfall near Mecca. However, radar estimated rainfall was more in the range of 5 to 8 inches. Observed rainfall amounts included 5.51 inches at an Automated Local Evaluation in Real Time (ALERT) gauge 3 miles south of Mecca and 3.23 inches at another ALERT gauge about half way between Mecca and Thermal. Most of the rain fell between 1:00 AM and 5:00 AM, which resulted in rare and damaging flash flooding in the area. Approximately 15-20 mobile homes in the Duroville Mobile Home Park were damaged, as well as 15 classrooms and a few offices at the Saul Martinez Elementary School. An evacuation center was set up for the approximately 1500 people affected. A boil water message for the mobile home park was also issued. Several instances of roadway flooding were also reported, including 3 feet of water over Highway 111 south of Mecca, causing multiple road closures. It is possible that the actual rainfall in areas from the storm over Mecca was over 6 inches. However, due to the lack of actual observations in the area, the higher radar estimates were not verified.

To view source and the visuals accompanying this article go here: http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/sgx/newsletter/2012Fall_CaliforniaCumulonimbus.pdf

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