Power Outage in Riverside, CA

Power poles were knocked down and hanging by the wires along SR-177 near Desert Center. Winds were estimated to be 55-60 mph. No injuries were reported.

Interstate-10, a major throughway between Phoenix, AZ and Southern California, had a section of the two eastbound (EB) lanes fully washed out due to flash flooding. Video during the washout appear to show the drainage pipes under the road were overcome and compromised by the magnitude of floodwaters. Radar rainfall estimates in this area were around 2-3 inches, with much of the rain falling in less than 2 hours. The washout occurred a few miles east of State Route 177/Desert Center. Caltrans closed I-10 EB due to the washout. I-10 westbound (WB) was also closed briefly due to an overturned semi-truck and SR-177 had already been closed, due to its own separate flooding impacts and downed power lines, by the time of the I-10 washout. This caused major traffic delays and detours through Eastern Riverside County. One EB detour lane was opened around 0700PST on August 25th after emergency construction and the second EB detour lane was not opened until 2300PST August 27th. Timing of flooding impacts based on radar. No injuries were reported from this event.

Caltrans closed SR-177 in both directions between I-10 and SR-62 due to flooding in multiple locations. Power lines were also down along SR-177. SR-177 was reopened around 0800PST, August 25th. Timing of flooding impacts based on radar. No injuries were reported.

Reports of power outage in Palm Springs and tree fire from lightning strike. Report from social media.

A local newspaper reported that the Imperial Irrigation District estimated that approximately 33 power poles had been destroyed in the North Shore area as a result of thunderstorm wind gusts upwards of 60 mph. Photos showed numerous wooden power poles snapped in this area. Residents in this area were without power for several days. Timing and magnitude of winds were estimated using radar and nearby wind observations. No injuries were reported.

Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department reported that a vehicle was trapped in flowing water approximately 3 feet deep on Power Line Road near the I-10 Red Cloud Mine Road exit. Two occupants and a dog were rescued from the vehicle with no injuries reported.

A powerful Pacific low pressure system developed across the desert southwest on November 28th, and it interacted with deep moisture to produce widespread rain across portions of eastern Riverside County during the evening hours. Isolated thunderstorms were embedded within the rain bands, increasing rain totals. The heavy rain resulted in an episode of flash flooding over far eastern portions of the county, near the lower Colorado River Valley. According to fire department and rescue units, at 1827PST flash flooding 4 miles north of east Blythe resulted in a car becoming flooded and floating near the intersection of 6th Avenue and Highway 95. A water rescue was needed, and the driver was rescued through the roof of the vehicle. No injuries were reported.

Monsoon thunderstorms developed across portions of far eastern Riverside County along the lower Colorado River Valley during the evening hours on September 1st. One of the stronger storms generated very gusty and damaging outflow winds estimated to be as high as 60 mph. According to Caltrans, or the Department of Highways, gusty winds downed power lines across Riverfront Road about 14 miles northeast of Blythe and near Highway 95. No injuries were reported as a result of the downed lines.

Thunderstorms with strong and damaging outflow winds developed and moved across the community of Desert Center during the afternoon hours on August 15th. According to a trained weather spotter, at 1640PST outflow winds estimated to be as high as 75 mph downed 8 power lines and flipped over 3 mobile trailers. One of the trailers was completely demolished. The damage occurred about 5 miles to the northeast of the town of Desert Center and near the Desert Center airport. The damage was east of Highway 177 and north of Interstate 10. No injuries were reported due to the extensive damage.

Strong downburst winds from a thunderstorm produced a 55 mph wind gust at Palm Springs International Airport. Winds may have been stronger elsewhere in the city. Southern California Edison reported 1000 power outages.

Severe downburst winds toppled multiple large trees and downed seveal strings of power poles in Wildomar.

Lightning strikes produced power outages in Desert Hot Springs.

Lightning strikes produced power outages in Palm Springs.

Downburst winds toppled power lines and downed multiple large trees blocking several roadways in Perris.

CHP reported a fire due to power lines downed from a lightning strike.

Five power poles were downed by wind and up to 7 were damaged and reported to Riverside County EOC just before 1800 PST. The Edom Hill mesonet upstream had a gust of 79 mph between 1700-1800 PST on the 11th. Estimated number of customers without power was 10,000. This damage appeared related to the same storm that damaged poles upstream in Riverside at around 1530 PST.

Seven power poles were snapped due to strong thunderstorm wind gusts at an intersection in Home Gardens near Corona according to police dept. Wind gusts of 51 mph were recorded at nearby Riverside Airport.

CHP reported roadway flooding with rocks and debris in the road. Water undermined power poles along the side of the road.

Law enforcement reported two large palm trees fell onto the road at 77th and Harrison, as well as a power pole that fell onto a vehicle near 70th and Pierce Streets.

Strong winds from a thunderstorm downed power lines trapping individuals in their car at Oak Glen and Cherry Valley Road.

The El Cariso mesonet station recorded a wind gust of 48 mph from a thunderstorm in the area. Downwind of this station, CHP reported a tree falling onto a power line on Grand Avenue in Lake Elsinore, blocking traffic. Wind damage was also reported at Elsinore High School, with power lines down and some minor flooding.

A spotter reported lightning struck and ignited fires in two palm trees near the community college. The fires were put out. Lightning also struck the technology building on campus, knocking out power.

Thunderstorm wind gusts downed nine power poles in Bermuda Dunes. Estimated wind gusts 50 to 55 mph.

Isolated thunderstorms developed across far eastern portions of Riverside county during the afternoon hours on September 8th. The thunderstorms generated strong, gusty and eventually damaging outflow winds estimated to be at least 60 mph in strength. One of the stronger storms affected the community of Blythe. Local law enforcement reported that power poles were blown down near the intersection of State Route 78 and 16th Avenue, about 4 miles east southeast of the Blythe airport. A Severe Thunderstorm Warning was issued for the Blythe area starting at 1335PST and continuing until 1430PST.

Tropical moisture streamed north into eastern Riverside county on August 24th, and it produced a very moist and unstable airmass. Strong thunderstorms developed during the early afternoon hours and they affected the community of Eagle Mountain. The storms produced gusty and damaging winds, estimated to be at least 60 mph. According to the COOP weather observer in Eagle Mountain, strong thunderstorm winds downed a number of trees and power lines in the area. A Severe Thunderstorm Warning was in effect for the Eagle Mountain area beginning at 1306PST and continuing through 1400PST.

A powerful spring storm brought windy conditions to much of eastern Riverside county during the day on April 8th. Wind gusts in excess of 40 mph were common, and led to the issuance of a Wind Advisory which ran from 10 am PDT to 8 pm PDT. According to an on-line article posted on the KESQ.COM website, at 205 pm a dust devil struck the Salton City RV Resort in Salton City California. The dust devil combined with the already strong and gusty winds to produce damage at the RV park. Awnings were down, some siding was ripped off and a water pipe was broken. No injuries were reported.

Power lines down due to wind in the vicinity of Perris and Romoland. Locations include Ethanac Road at Evans Road west of Romoland, South D and East 7th Streets in Perris, and the 27900 block of Washington Street. All lines reported down around 1400 PST on the 6th.

Media reported downed power lines and trees of 1 to 2 feet in diameter near Hemet, CA on August 26th. Wind gusts estimated between 60-70 mph.

A severe thunderstorm with estimated wind gusts of 60 MPH brought down ten power poles on Pottery Street in Lake Elsinore. Live power lines fell on a RTA bus around 1330 PST, trapping the driver and 11 passengers for two hours. Trampolines were also picked up and blown into adjacent yards. Street flooding was also reported in Lake Elsinore.

Motorists reported a tornado crossing Interstate 10 near Intake Blvd, where two semi trucks were blown over. Numerous power poles down, and considerable damage to homes and other structures in and around Blythe. Roofs were blown off some homes. The rain-wrapped tornado had peak wind gusts estimated at 80 mph as it moved toward the northeast. Nearby Blythe airport recorded a peak gust of 55 mph, with thunderstorms in the area. To put this storm in perspective, record low pressure was observed at Blythe, 29.02 inches.

Motorists reported a tornado crossing Interstate 10 near Intake Blvd, where two semi trucks were blown over. Numerous power poles down, and considerable damage to homes and other structures in and around Blythe. Roofs were blown off some homes. The rain-wrapped tornado had peak wind gusts estimated at 80 mph as it moved toward the northeast. Nearby Blythe airport recorded a peak gust of 55 mph, with thunderstorms in the area. To put this storm in perspective, record low pressure was observed at Blythe, 29.02 inches.

San Bernardino County Public Works reported debris and mud in several homes in Yucaipa beginning around 1236 PST and continuing through about 1400 PST. The flash flooding may have knocked over power lines along Wildwood Canyon Road near 2nd Street. The flash flood was a result of heavy rain in the region. Large amounts of water and mud flowed out of the hills to the east of Yucaipa and through the Wildwood Canyon Wash. It is likely that the majority of the flooding was due to the wash overflowing.

Winds associated with a line of storms caused widespread power outages. Power poles were downed and trees uprooted. At least two trucks were blown over on Interstate 10 near Blythe.

An upper level low sitting off the coast of the northern Baja Peninsula promoted diffluent flow over southeast California. The moist, unstable environment combined with adequate forcing mechanisms allowed for strong to severe thunderstorms to develop. High DCAPE values across the region helped enhance the threat for damaging winds resulting from downbursts. Thunderstorms initially developed in southwest Arizona before producing a westward moving outflow boundary. Several observations recorded gusts around 50 mph as the outflow moved westward across eastern Riverside County with several reports of blowing dust reducing visibilities along I-10. Additional thunderstorm development occurred along the boundary, producing strong to marginally severe thunderstorms which resulted in a tractor trailer being blown over on I-10 and numerous power poles being blown down in the North Shore area. No injuries were reported.

A powerful Pacific low pressure system continued to develop across the desert southwest on November 28th, and it interacted with considerable moisture to produce bands of moderate to heavy rain across the eastern portions of Riverside County during the evening hours. Isolated thunderstorms were embedded in the rain bands, leading to enhanced rain totals. The heavy rain resulted in an episode of flash flooding over far eastern portions of the county, near the lower Colorado River Valley approximately 4 miles north of East Blythe. During the early evening, local fire and rescue reported a water rescue of a vehicle flooded and floating along highway 95. Fortunately there were no reports of injuries to the driver of the vehicle.

Isolated to scattered monsoon thunderstorms developed across the far eastern portion of Riverside County during the evening hours on September 1st. Some of the stronger storms generated gusty and damaging outflow wind in excess of 60 mph. One such storm in Rice Valley produced a 69 mph wind gust as measured by a RAWS weather station. At 2139PST strong winds downed power lines across Riverfront Road near the lower Colorado River Valley 14 miles northeast of Blythe. No injuries were reported due to the strong winds.

Monsoon thunderstorms developed across portions of eastern Riverside county during the afternoon hours on August 15th; some of the stronger storms generated gusty and damaging outflow winds that affected areas around the community of Desert Center. A trained spotter indicated that gusty winds estimated to be in excess of 70 mph downed a number of power poles and flipped 3 mobile trailers approximately 5 miles to the northeast of Desert Center and near the Desert Center airport. One of the trailers was completely destroyed. No injuries were reported as a result of the wind damage.

Monsoon moisture and some instability from an easterly wave resulted in scattered thunderstorms over the mountains and lower deserts. Most notable of these was a severe thunderstorm that occurred near Mecca in the southern Coachella Valley during the evening. This storm produced a copious amount of lightning and very strong, damaging winds (over 100 power poles damaged or destroyed). While the precipitation did not hit many gages, the Kent Sea Farms gage, near Mecca, recorded 0.32 inches of rain with this storm. After storm damage surveys, it was concluded that the most likely cause of the damage was a brief, nearly-stationary, EF1 tornado.

Monsoon thunderstorms erupted once more, with gusty downdraft winds, downing power lines and poles in the Coachella Valley.

Isolated thunderstorms developed across portions of eastern Riverside county during the afternoon hours on September 8th. Due to the rather moist and unstable nature of the atmosphere, the storms were able to generate gusty outflow winds strong enough to blow down power poles. Most of the thunderstorms formed over open country, however a few were able to affect communities such as Blythe. Severe Thunderstorm Warnings were issued as a result of the strong convection.

An upper level low pressure system along the California coast spread moisture into southeast California, and this led to the development of isolated thunderstorms over Imperial and Riverside counties on the 12th. The stronger storms developed gusty, damaging microburst winds which were sufficient to blow over semi trucks on Interstate 8 and knock down numerous power poles.

The second powerful winter storm in a week raced through the region on December 12th and 13th. The storm brought high winds, heavy rain, and caused minor to moderate damage. Wind gusts in the high desert reached an impressive 100 MPH! The wind and heavy rain contributed to many downed trees, power outages, minor roadway flooding, and a flash flood. Parts of Highway 18 in the San Bernardino Mountains were closed due to large rocks on the roadway. In Perris, two people had to be rescued from a vehicle that had become trapped in a flooded intersection.

As many as six power poles were blown over in Banning during a short-lived microburst. No other structures or vegetation in the vicinity of these poles were damaged. Based on photos of the damage and eyewitness accounts, the thunderstorm winds were sub-severe.

Severe thunderstorms rapidly formed at the intersection of the Elsinore Convergence Zone and the Banning Pass Arc/Convergence Zone near San Jacinto and Hemet. A microburst caused damage to trees, buildings, and power lines from San Jacinto to Temecula and heavy rain caused flash flooding and mudslides. Spotters reported trees down and wind damage to buildings in and around Hemet. Several roads in Hemet had to be closed due to flash flooding and a half-dozen cars stalled in deep water at the Warren Road rail crossing. Further east, mudslides were reported along highway 74 in the foothills. An advertising balloon that was blown into power lines in Menifee sent burning streamers onto a bed of wood chips and started a small fire. In Temecula, extensive minor damage to tents and sheds occurred at the Wilson Creek Winery while a roof was ripped off an outbuilding at the Longshadow Ranch Winery. Damage to both Temecula wineries is estimated at about 20K.

A severe thunderstorm north of Santa Rosa Mountain produced heavy rain, localized flash flooding, and damaging wind gusts across the eastern slopes of the Riverside County Mountains and western Coachella Valley. A rain gage at Dead Indian Canyon measured 1.14 inches of rain in 30 minutes and 1.30 inches in 45 minutes. Rain gages at Agave Hill and Haystack Mountain reported 1.18 and 0.87 inches of rain respectively during a similar time frame. Flash flooding was observed in and around the rural community of Pinyon Flats. Several vehicles were trapped in a mudslide 2 feet deep on highway 74 and several dirt roads in Pinyon Pines were heavily eroded. It did not appear that any homes in Pinyon Pines sustained damage. Outflow from the storm raced toward the Coachella Valley which resulted in downed palm fronds and power lines, broken power poles, and damaged street signs. The downed power lines caused power outages that affected 3,000 Southern California Edison customers from Palm Springs to Cathedral City.

Severe thunderstorms fired along the Elsinore Convergence Zone for the third time in two weeks. Thunderstorms erupted early in the afternoon near San Jacinto and rapidly went severe. Gusty winds in San Jacinto knocked down numerous small trees and branches, and heavy rain caused flooding in Cranston and Valle Vista neighborhoods. Thunderstorms then traveled westward along the convergence zone towards Sun City and Perris. A severe microburst ripped up freeway signs along I-215, blew down trees, caused roof damage to buildings, and knocked down more than 50 power poles. One vehicle was struck by a falling power pole while traveling on the interstate. Up to 30,000 Southern California Edison customers were temporarily without power. I-215 was shut down while crews removed downed power poles and other debris from the road. Several vehicles were later reported stuck in mud near Murrieta Rd and Ethanac Rd.

A brush fire burned power lines and self-storage units along Highway 91just north of Central Avenue.

Named the Locust Fire, this wildfire consumed 1889 acres between north Moreno Valley and Redlands before being fully contained. Several homes were threatened and evacuations were ordered. A hiker suffered burns, when he jumped through the fire front. Two fire fighters were injured, one from minor burns, the other from smoke inhalation. Property damage was confined to a mobile home, a moving van, a dozen cars, several out-buildings, power lines, and an orchard of citrus trees. Smoke and ash from the fire was observed as far north as Lake Arrowhead. The cost of fighting the fire was estimated at $1.1 million.

Throughout this three day Santa Ana wind event, numerous trees and power poles were blown down. At least 60 communities were affected. Interstates 8, 10, and 15 were blocked for several hours by large trucks blown over. Blowing dust and sand reduced visibility to zero, closing Interstate 215. Planes were diverted from landing at Ontario International airport as winds gusted to 90 mph. One large commercial transport plane sustained damage. A commuter train was delayed for several hours in Orange County when power poles were blown down onto the track. A brush fire whipped by the winds, damaged 5 houses and burned 150 acres. Sparks from downed power lines started numerous small brush fires, but these were quickly contained. Many houses and at least 300 parked automobiles were damaged by falling trees. In Riverside, wind flung debris smashed into a vehicle, killing the front seat passenger. In San Diego, a woman was killed when a tree fell onto her. Three others outdoors in San Diego County were also struck by falling trees and sustained broken bones. Six people riding in a commuter bus were injured when a tree fell onto it. The avocado crop in San Diego County lost about 20 million pounds of fruit.

Gust front knocked down several power lines. Dust raised by the wind reduced visibility to less than a mile in the Coachella Valley.

A brush fire that began on 4/9/02 was brought under control on 4/11/02 after burning 105 acres, several power poles, and threatening 20 homes. Two days later, record high temperatures and dry east winds caused the fire to flare up and burn another 150 acres before being brought under containment.

Power lines blown down.

An outflow boundary from thunderstorms associated with Tropical Depression Juliette over the Northern Gulf of California moved northwest across Eastern Riverside County. Wind gusts were measured at 39 mph at the Palm Springs International Airport. Trees and power lines were knocked down across the Coachella Valley. Visibility was reduced to zero in blowing dust.