A powerful Pacific low pressure system spread considerable amounts of deep moisture into much of Imperial County during the day on March 12th and given impressive amounts of lift and instability, this resulted in widespread showers mixed with isolated to scattered thunderstorms. The storms enhanced local rainfall totals, resulting in accumulations that quickly exceeded one inch in some places, resulting in episodes of flooding and flash flooding over the central portions of Imperial County. Flowing water cross over roads to the west and southwest of El Centro leading to road closures. Early evening flooding was observed to the northeast of Brawley, resulting in impacts to local traffic. Flash flood warnings were issued in response to the heavy rain but fortunately there were no injuries resulting from the flooding.

Flood in IMPERIAL, CALIFORNIA
From 12-MAR-20 16:00:00 to 12-MAR-20 18:00:00 (PST-8)
Location: WIEST
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Scattered showers and thunderstorms, some with moderate to heavy rain, developed across portions of central Imperial County during the afternoon hours on March 12th. The locally heavy rain resulted in some flooding and flash flooding impacts across portions of the Imperial Valley; earlier in the afternoon a Flash Flood Warning was issued due to the flooding. Later in the afternoon the rain tapered off and the warning expired. However, according to local law enforcement, at 1656PST lingering flooding northeast of Brawley and about 1 mile northwest of Wiest resulted in some modest impacts to local traffic. there were no reports of accidents due to the flooding.

Flash Flood in IMPERIAL, CALIFORNIA
From 12-MAR-20 13:30:00 to 12-MAR-20 17:45:00 (PST-8)
Location: EL CENTRO NAF
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Scattered showers and thunderstorms developed across central Imperial County during the early afternoon hours on March 12th, and they produced locally heavy rainfall with rain totals well in excess of one inch in places. The heavy rain resulted in episodes of flash flooding that resulted in area road closures. At 1447PST, the California department of highways reported flash flooding about 5 miles northwest of the town of Seeley. Swiftly moving water flowed over the road at the intersection of Huff Road and Boley Road. This could be seen on the Caltrans quick map. Additionally, about one hour earlier a trained spotter noted flooding about 2 miles southwest of Dixieland. Flood waters resulted in the road being closed at the intersection if Interstate 8 and Dunlap. There were no reports of accidents due to the flash flooding.

Heavy Rain in IMPERIAL, CALIFORNIA
From 12-MAR-20 07:00:00 to 12-MAR-20 11:00:00 (PST-8)
Location: MT SIGNAL
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms developed during the morning hours across the far southern portions of Imperial County; some of them generated locally heavy rainfall to the southwest of the Imperial Valley. According to local law enforcement, at 0920PST heavy rain in the area south of Seeley led to the closure of State Route 98 at the intersection of Drew Road. There were no flash flood warnings or flood advisories issued for the area and there were no reports of any accidents due to the heavy rain.

Flash Flood in IMPERIAL, CALIFORNIA
From 12-MAR-20 15:30:00 to 12-MAR-20 20:45:00 (PST-8)
Location: PALO VERDE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 60.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Scattered showers and thunderstorms, some with locally heavy rain, developed and moved slowly across far eastern portions of Imperial County during the afternoon hours on March 12th. The heavy rain led to an episode of flash flooding just west of the lower Colorado River Valley and along State Route 78. According to a reports from the public and Caltrans, at about 1708PST, a vehicle was swept away in a flash flood along State Route 78 about 10 miles south-southwest of Palo Verde. There were multiple people in the vehicle however the California Highway Patrol reported that all of the people were rescued and were in good condition. A Flash Flood Warning was in effect at the time of the rescue. Additionally, at 1926PST local law enforcement reported that multiple vehicles were stuck in or near flood waters at the intersection of State Route 78 and Milpitas Wash Road. This was in the same area as the previous rescue.