Prepare for Possible Impacts of Hurricane Hilary

City of Palm Springs urges residents to prepare for potential impacts of Hurricane Hilary; sandbags available at all five fire stations.

With Hurricane Hilary strengthening rapidly and predicted to move into the Coachella Valley this weekend, the City of Palm Springs is urging all residents to prepare for potentially dangerous storm impacts that include rain, flooding, and high winds.

The National Weather Service is expecting the storm could bring as much as five inches of rain to Palm Springs, with as much as seven to nine inches in the San Jacinto Mountains that could potentially lead to severe mountain run-off. Some showers are predicted on Saturday, with heavier rainfall predicted across the Coachella Valley on Sunday and through the evening. The heaviest rainfall is predicted on Monday morning.

In order to ensure residents are prepared for potential flooding, empty sandbags will be available to residents daily from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at all five Palm Springs fire stations:

• Fire Station 1: 277 N. Indian Avenue
• Fire Station 2: 300 N. El Cielo
• Fire Station 3: 590 E. Racquet Club Drive
• Fire Station 4: 1300 La Verne Way
• Fire Station 5: 5800 Bolero Road

In addition, sand will be available for pick up in the pit behind City Hall off El Cielo Drive.

“Residents should know that rain/flood waters can be dangerous and that as little as one inch of water can move a car,” said Palm Springs Emergency Manager Daniel DeSelms, who added that it is best to avoid driving during heavy rain.

“If any area is flooded, turn around and never drive around a barricade or road closure because local responders use them to safely direct traffic out of flooded areas,” said Palm Springs Fire Chief Paul Alvarado. “We want to avoid swift water rescues, which put the lives of both drivers and public safety at risk.”

Chief Alvarado advises residents to prepare and stay safe by taking the following precautions:

• Avoid driving during heavy rain and dangerous conditions.
• Stay off bridges over fast-moving water. Fast-moving water can wash bridges away without warning.
• Stay inside your car if it is trapped in rapidly moving water. Get on the roof if water is rising inside the car.
• Do not walk, swim, or drive through flood waters. Turn around. Don’t Drown!
• Finally, if you have not already, sign up for City of Palm Springs public safety alerts, which notify residents about road closures, weather-related events, and more. Visit www.palmspringsca.gov where you can find a link to register “In the Spotlight.”