Christmas Eve Storm Brings Rain, Flood Watch to Coachella Valley

A major winter storm is moving through the Coachella Valley on Christmas Eve, with the heaviest rain expected this afternoon. A flood watch remains in effect for much of Southern California, and a second wave of rain is forecast for Friday.

Where to Get Sandbags

Cities across the valley are offering free sand and sandbags. Pickup is self-serve—bring your own shovel and fill bags half to two-thirds full for easier handling.

• -- Palm Desert: Sand at the Civic Center Dog Park near the ballfields; sandbags in the Development Services lobby at City Hall (73510 Fred Waring Dr.). Limit 15 per resident. Available after hours.

• -- Palm Springs: All five city fire stations. Sand in the back parking lot at City Hall.

• -- Desert Hot Springs: Station 36 (11535 Karen Ave.), Station 37 (65958 Pierson Blvd.), Station 98 (69111 Hacienda Ave.). Pickup 9 a.m.–8 p.m.

• -- Cathedral City: 32100 Desert Vista Road.

• -- La Quinta: Corporate Yard (78106 Francis Hack Lane), Fire Station 70 (54001 Madison St.), Fire Station 93 (44555 Adams St.).

• -- Coachella: Corporate Yard (53-462 Enterprise Way). 8 a.m.–4 p.m. for residents and business owners.

• Those hours were for Tuesday though so check with City officials if hours are different today.

Sign Up for Emergency Alerts

Cities encourage residents to register for notifications about evacuations, shelter information, and public safety incidents. Sign up through your city's website—Palm Springs, Palm Desert (Nixle), Indio, Cathedral City, La Quinta, and Coachella all have systems. Alert RivCo covers all of Riverside County.

Protecting Your Home

"Homeowners have a responsibility too," said John Corella, Cathedral City's Director of Public Works. "Make sure the water has a clear path to get to the street. Make sure their rain gutters are clear. Make sure the downspouts are clear."

A quick check to clear leaves from yard drains can make a significant difference.

If You Lose Power

Southern California Edison and Imperial Irrigation District have crews on standby. SCE spokesperson Gabriela Ornelas recommends placing blocks of ice in your refrigerator to extend food freshness and limiting how often you open the door. If you encounter a traffic signal that's out, treat it as a four-way stop.

Forecast

Showers have been hit-or-miss this morning, but heavier rain is arriving this afternoon. Highs will only reach the mid-60s—64 in Palm Springs, 66 in Indio. Conditions improve Thursday with partly sunny skies and temperatures near 70, but a second wave of rain arrives Friday.

Sign Up for Emergency Alerts

Cities encourage residents to register for emergency notifications, which send texts or voice messages about evacuations, shelter information, and public safety incidents. Palm Desert residents can sign up for Nixle alerts by texting their ZIP code to 888777. Palm Springs offers community alerts through its city website under the Government tab. Indio, La Quinta, and Coachella also have emergency notification systems, and Alert RivCo covers all of Riverside County.