A very moist (PWATs 2.0+ inches) and unstable (MLCAPE 2000-3000 J/KG) air mass led to be a very conducive environment for vigorous thunderstorm activity across portions of southeast California. Thunderstorms first developed across the higher terrain near Joshua Tree National Park as well as across the mountains of Northern Baja California. With the upper-level flow from the west, these thunderstorms moved eastward into Imperial and Riverside counties, moving into the very moist and unstable air mass.

Flood in RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA
From 24-AUG-22 15:30:00 to 24-AUG-22 19:00:00 (PST-8)
Location: DESERT CENTER
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

SR-77 closed in both directions between I-10 and SR-62 due to flooding in multiple locations. No damages or injuries were reported.

Flash Flood in IMPERIAL, CALIFORNIA
From 24-AUG-22 15:30:00 to 24-AUG-22 17:30:00 (PST-8)
Location: SALTON CITY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

S22(Borrego-Salton roadway) was closed due to flooding. Timing estimated from radar. No damages or injuries were reported.

Flash Flood in RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA
From 24-AUG-22 16:20:00 to 24-AUG-22 20:30:00 (PST-8)
Location: DESERT CENTER
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Caltrans closed SR-177 in both directions between I-10 and SR-62 due to flooding in multiple locations. Power lines were also down along SR-177. SR-177 was reopened around 0800PST, August 25th. Timing of flooding impacts based on radar. No injuries were reported.

Thunderstorm Wind in RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA
From 24-AUG-22 18:01:00 to 24-AUG-22 18:01:00 (PST-8)
Location: BLYTHE
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 12.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Flipped over semi-trailer on I-10 in Blythe. Winds were estimated at 65-70 mph. No injuries were reported.

Thunderstorm Wind in RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA
From 24-AUG-22 19:03:00 to 24-AUG-22 19:03:00 (PST-8)
Location: (BLH)BLYTHE ARPT
Magnitude: 60.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

A 69 mph wind gust was measured at the Blythe Airport.

Flash Flood in RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA
From 24-AUG-22 18:55:00 to 24-AUG-22 19:55:00 (PST-8)
Location: (BLH)BLYTHE ARPT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Clatrans closed SR-78 in both directions near the I-10 interchange due to flooding. SR-78 was reopened around 0800PST, August 25th. Timing of flooding impacts estimated from radar. No damages or injuries were reported.

Dust Storm in PALO VERDE VALLEY, CALIFORNIA
From 24-AUG-22 17:22:00 to 24-AUG-22 17:42:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Visibility of 1/4 mile reported near Blythe in blowing dust from thunderstorm outflow. No accidents or injuries were reported.

Flash Flood in RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA
From 24-AUG-22 17:35:00 to 24-AUG-22 20:30:00 (PST-8)
Location: DESERT CENTER ARPT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Interstate-10, a major throughway between Phoenix, AZ and Southern California, had a section of the two eastbound (EB) lanes fully washed out due to flash flooding. Video during the washout appear to show the drainage pipes under the road were overcome and compromised by the magnitude of floodwaters. Radar rainfall estimates in this area were around 2-3 inches, with much of the rain falling in less than 2 hours. The washout occurred a few miles east of State Route 177/Desert Center. Caltrans closed I-10 EB due to the washout. I-10 westbound (WB) was also closed briefly due to an overturned semi-truck and SR-177 had already been closed, due to its own separate flooding impacts and downed power lines, by the time of the I-10 washout. This caused major traffic delays and detours through Eastern Riverside County. One EB detour lane was opened around 0700PST on August 25th after emergency construction and the second EB detour lane was not opened until 2300PST August 27th. Timing of flooding impacts based on radar. No injuries were reported from this event.

Thunderstorm Wind in RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA
From 24-AUG-22 15:37:00 to 24-AUG-22 15:37:00 (PST-8)
Location: DESERT CENTER ARPT
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Power poles were knocked down and hanging by the wires along SR-177 near Desert Center. Winds were estimated to be 55-60 mph. No injuries were reported.

Thunderstorm Wind in RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA
From 24-AUG-22 17:25:00 to 24-AUG-22 17:25:00 (PST-8)
Location: DESERT CENTER ARPT
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 12.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Flipped over semi-trailer on I-10 east of Desert Center. Winds were estimated at 55-60 mph. No injuries were reported.

Dust Storm in IMPERIAL VALLEY, CALIFORNIA
From 24-AUG-22 15:10:00 to 24-AUG-22 15:30:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Near zero visibility reported in the area of Dogwood Road and East Keystone Road in Imperial in blowing dust due to thunderstorm outflow. No accidents or injuries were reported.

Thunderstorm Wind in RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA
From 24-AUG-22 18:00:00 to 24-AUG-22 18:00:00 (PST-8)
Location: EAST BLYTHE
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Farmer reported large 110lbs Alfalfa bales were flipped off stack in Blythe. Timing estimated from radar. Winds were estimated at 65-70 mph. No injuries were reported.