Category: kesq-local-news

Timothy Foster

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) — Heavy rainfall across the Coachella Valley has caused flooding, mudslides, and road closures, prompting safety warnings from law enforcement and emergency officials.

In Palm Springs, major routes such as Indian Canyon Drive, Gene Autry Trail, and parts of Vista Chino often shut down when water collects at the washes. Drivers are commonly detoured to Ramon Road, Dinah Shore Drive, and Highway 111, which remain more accessible during storms.

Flooding and mudslides have also created problems in Cathedral City, especially near Varner Road and Date Palm Drive, where cars have become stuck in thick mud during periods of heavy rain. Crews have used tow equipment and bulldozers to remove trapped vehicles.

Maria Juarez of Desert Hot Springs said her family member became stranded in flood water near Thousand Palms and was unable to move the car. She explained that Highway Patrol stopped incoming traffic for safety. She added that her family relies on GPS for alternate routes and keeps sandbags available during storms.

In Palm Desert, residents have reported flooding inside garages and around homes. Resident Kimberly Valentine said her garage took on water and required several hours of cleanup to move belongings to higher ground.

Some families chose to stay indoors altogether during the rain. Palm Desert resident Marcus Morgan said he avoids adding to traffic during storms and has seen drivers attempt to cross flooded washes with dangerous results. His wife, Diana Morgan, said staying home is often the safest choice and helps prevent becoming trapped in rising water.

Local agencies continue to urge drivers to avoid entering flooded roadways. Emergency crews handle multiple rescues each rainy season when vehicles become stuck in water or mud.

Several cities, including Cathedral City and Desert Hot Springs, provide sandbags for residents preparing their homes for additional storms. Residents who recently experienced flooding say they plan to make use of them if more rain arrives.

Officials encourage the public to monitor changing road conditions, as closures can shift quickly when rain moves through the valley.

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Athena Jreij

BANNING, Calif. (KESQ) — The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the death of an inmate at the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility in Banning.

Deputies say on Thursday morning they found 61-year-old Michael Dupas of Perris, having a medical emergency in the transportation area of the correctional facility.

Dupas was taken to a local hospital where his health continued to decline. He was pronounced dead the next day.

A cause of death has not been determined and the investigation remains ongoing.

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Shay Lawson

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – The AMVETS ONE suicide-prevention bus rolled into Indio on Sunday.

The event drawing veterans, families and community members to American Legion Post 739 for a program aimed at reducing veteran suicides — highlighting the urgent need for mental-health support and continued outreach.

According to AMVETS, an estimated 17.6 veterans die by suicide every day nationwide — a number the organization hopes to drive down through its traveling education and resource program.

Speakers shared information on warning signs, available resources and ways the public can support veterans in crisis.

AMVETS Post 66 presented a $500 donation to support the AMVETS ONE program.

The event was free and open to the public, attracting local leaders, service members and advocates.

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Isaiah Mora

Update 11/17/25

Gene Autry reopened Monday morning. There is no word on when Indian Canyon could be reopened.

Original Report 11/16/25

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – On Sunday morning, Vista Chino reopened at the wash after it was closed due to flooding following Saturday’s heavy rainfall.

The city of Palm Springs is also warning North Indian Canyon Drive and Gene Autry Trail are both closed at the wash due to flooding.

Stay with News Channel 3 to learn when these roads will open back up.

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Kendall Flynn

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The Palm Springs Section 14 Survivors group held a summit Saturday, celebrating the one-year anniversary of reaching a historic $5.9 million settlement with the City of Palm Springs.

People who call themselves the survivors and descendants of Section 14 gathered at the Church of St. Paul in the Desert in Palm Springs for the summit titled “Reflect, Re-imagine and Rebuild.” Speakers from the Section 14 Board, Survivors group, civil rights legal council and other experts discussed how the Section 14 settlement has impacted other cities and what change they’re looking for in the future.

Many speakers said the settlement is on the end, it is the beginning of change in Palm Springs, especially as they look toward numerous reparative implementations in the city.

The settlement will provide direct compensation to the community impacted, and includes a $20 million allocation for affordable housing from the city of Palm Springs and $1 million for business support, with a focus on those impacted by Section 14.

While the summit celebrated the historic settlement, it faced opposition from many who believe it fell short. News Channel 3’s John White breaks down the update and speaks with the community in an I-Team piece.

Stay with News Channel 3 for Section 14 coverage and to hear from those impacted.

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Athena Jreij

Update 11/16/25

Cathedral City confirmed Public Works crews have completed cleanup operations following the mudslide, and Varner Road has now been reopened to traffic.

Original Report 11/15/25

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) –Nearly 30 people were evacuated from their cars at Varner Road and Date Palm Drive after a mudslide trapped them.

Over a dozen cars were stranded in the mud after a heavy downpour in the area.

Bulldozers were called out to tow the cars and clear the area.

Frankie Espinoza says she was on her way to dog sit at a friend’s house when her and her niece got caught in the storm, following several accidents on the road.

“There was one accident behind us. Nobody was hurt in that one, I think it was just a fender bender. But they were able to get their family, towed them out. Then there was this one in front of us. There was another accident that occurred probably a mile behind us. So this road has just been crazy for the past two hours,” Espinoza said.

No injuries were reported, but several people were taken into ambulances to warm up.

Varner Road at Date Palm Drive has been closed due to hazardous conditions, with the closure expected to last through the weekend.

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Shay Lawson

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (KESQ)  – Helping local families in need.

The Democrats of the Desert and friends held a food drive-thru from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Rancho Mirage City Hall Parking lot.

Organizers requested un-expired, unopened, non-perishable food that will be delivered to FIND Regional Food Bank in Indio on Monday.

From there, the food will be distributed to those in need via the local food banks.

Organizers said this was a non-partisan event.

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Shay Lawson

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ)  – A 24-year-old Melany Cunninghan Carbajal of Desert Hot Springs was killed early Saturday morning in a single-vehicle rollover crash in the northbound lanes of Jefferson Street, north of Dunbar Drive.

The crash happened just after 2:30 a.m., according to the Indio Police Department.

Officers arrived to find the woman had been ejected from the vehicle.

She suffered significant injuries and died at the scene.

IPD’s Traffic Division responded and took over the investigation.

All northbound lanes on Jefferson Street between Northgate Road and Dunbar Drive were closed for several hours and reopened around 5:45 a.m.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation, and police say it is not yet known whether impairment played a role.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Indio Police Department Traffic Division at (760) 391-4057.

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Gavin Nguyen

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – It has been a wet day here in the Coachella Valley. A few bands of heavier precipitation have entered the mix this afternoon. Several Areal Flood Advisories have been issued as the National Weather Service monitors this rain. There was quite the downpour at our station in Thousand Palms right around 3:00!

So far, the Palm Springs Int’l airport has received 1.08 inches of rain. Other parts of the valley, like Palm Desert, have seen close to nine tenths of an inch of rain.

As a result of flooding across the deserts today, we have seen some roads close. All roads through the wash are currently closed as of 3:21 p.m.

As of 5:45 AM, a Flood watch remains in effect for nearly all of Southern California. At this time, there are even a number of flash flood warnings in place across parts of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties. The Weather Prediction Center has us under a slight risk (yellow shading) for flash flooding. This means we have at least a 15% chance of a flash flood occurring. A moderate risk (red shading) extends from Santa Barbara County all the way to Orange County and the San Gorgonio Pass. A moderate risk represents at least a 40% chance of flash flooding.

There are still some lingering rain chances for the rest of the evening and into Sunday. Tonight’s rainfall appears to taper off into scattered showers/drizzles, though the chances return early Sunday morning. Chances for the heaviest rainfall appear in the early morning hours, beginning around 4:00 a.m. Sunday, before light, occasional showers could occur through the rest of the day.

Another system will move through on Monday. This will bring the chance for another round of precipitation, including snow for our local mountains. There remains a slight chance of rain into Tuesday as well. Yet another system will move through for the end of the workweek!

Looking ahead, this week will be quite different from the previous few. Highs will stay in the low 70s or upper 60s this entire workweek! This is because of a string of systems moving through in the days ahead. One will move through early in the workweek, and the other will come toward the end. Given the cooler air in place, some snow is more likely on the mountains. We may see the first inch of snow at the Tram as early as today. Back here on the valley floor, we may see some extra precipitation from these systems, so stay with us for extra details!

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Luis Avila

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – Conditions remain dry for now across the valley, but officials warn that could change quickly as a storm system moves in this weekend. Along the I-10 corridor, commuters are bracing for what could become a hazardous stretch of wet weather.

A flood watch now in effect as of Friday night. Roads that appear clear today could become slick — or even flooded — within hours once rain begins.

Rain is one of the leading contributors to sudden roadway hazards, causing reduced visibility, hydroplaning, and unpredictable traffic patterns. Safety experts urge drivers to take precautions immediately once the storm arrives: slow down, increase following distance, and avoid sudden braking on wet pavement.

Authorities also stress a key message: “Turn Around, Don’t Drown.” Even shallow water can hide damage or strong currents. Just one foot of water can float a small vehicle, and washes throughout the Coachella Valley are known to flood rapidly during storms.

Drivers are also encouraged to keep headlights on during rain — even in daylight — to improve visibility for everyone on the road.

Officials say the safest option is to stay off the roads altogether if travel isn’t necessary once the storm arrives.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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