Streets in Mecca, Thermal remain closed due to power poles and trees downed by thunderstorms

MECCA — Multiple streets in Mecca and Thermal remained closed for a second day today because of power lines and trees toppled into the roads by thunderstorms.

According to the Riverside County Department of Transportation, a half-dozen streets are temporarily inaccessible while crews work to clear the debris and secure the electrical lines.

The Imperial Irrigation District was expected to need until Thursday to finish its work, allowing the road to reopen, according to the California Highway Patrol’s Indio station.

In Mecca, Fillmore Street was shut down between 70th and 72nd avenues due to utility lines in the roadway, while in the Martinez community to the west, Polk Street was closed between 68th and 70th avenues, also because of collapsed lines, according to transportation officials.

In downtown Mecca, Date Palm Street was inaccessible between Fifth and Seventh streets because of ongoing cleanup of tree debris and other hazards.

Similarly, 70th Avenue was closed between Fillmore and Harrison streets, and to the northeast, in Thermal, Johnson Street was shut down between 65th and 66th streets for mop-up operations, according to the transportation department.

Most of the closures went into effect during the evening hours Tuesday, when turbulent weather swept through the desert.

Just minutes before reports of the downed poles and trees came in, the National Weather Service had issued a severe thunderstorm warning with 60 mph wind gusts forecast, the Desert Sun reported.

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