Tropical Storm Rachel approaches: flood watch issued for Riverside County, heavy rain and strong winds hit Coachella Valley this weekend
Tropical Storm Rachel is bearing down on Southern California this weekend, and a flood watch has been issued for Riverside County. According to the National Weather Service, a flood watch for the Coachella Valley takes effect at 11 p.m. Saturday and remains in effect through Sunday evening, while a wind advisory takes effect at 2 a.m. Sunday and lasts until 5 a.m. Monday.
The weather service expects maximum hourly rainfall rates of 0.5 to 0.7 inches across desert areas and 0.7 to 1 inch per hour across the mountains, with the heaviest rainfall most likely from late Saturday night through early Sunday afternoon. Along with the rain, southeast winds early Sunday will become westerly at 10 to 20 mph, with gusts of 35 to 45 mph in the Coachella Valley.
Temperatures on Sunday were expected to reach highs of 72 in downtown Riverside, 68 in Temecula, 69 in Hemet, 81 in Coachella and 77 in Palm Springs. Monday was expected to be a few degrees cooler, with temperatures climbing again starting Tuesday back into the high 80s and low 90s across Riverside, Temecula, Hemet, Coachella and Palm Springs.
Rachel is expected to make landfall across far southern California Saturday night into early Sunday morning and exit the area by Sunday morning. The National Weather Service warns that heavy rain could trigger urban and flash flooding, and urges residents to avoid flood-prone roads and stay tuned to official emergency alerts.
A flood watch means conditions are favorable for flooding: while no higher-level flood warning has been issued, the risk rises significantly in low-lying valley areas, poor-drainage roadways and mountain roads. The weather service advises residents to clear roof gutters in advance, secure or move outdoor items indoors, and to turn around rather than drive through flooded roadways; limit unnecessary travel during the storm and check on elderly household members and neighbors living alone. Reported by MyNewsLA, citing the National Weather Service on Oct. 10.
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 河滨县科切拉谷棕榈泉街景，Patrick Nouhailler 摄，CC BY-SA 2.0（Wikimedia Commons）
