If your phone sounded an emergency alert Wednesday evening, Aug. 12, it was likely warning you about a dust storm moving through the Coachella Valley.
The warning, issued shortly after 6 p.m. Aug. 12 by the National Weather Service, remained in effect until 7 p.m.
A dust channel near Mecca was moving northwest at 25 mph at about 6:06 p.m., with winds exceeding 40 mph and visibility below a quarter-mile.
Officials said blowing dust could reduce visibility to near zero and create “dangerous, life-threatening travel” conditions, including along parts of Interstate 10 where drivers could encounter strong winds and reduced visibility.
“If caught in one, pull off the road, turn off your lights and keep your foot off the brake,” the weather service said in its alert.
An estimated 271,278 people are in the warning area, which includes southeastern Palm Springs, Thousand Palms, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, La Quinta, Bermuda Dunes, Sun City Palm Desert, Indio, Coachella, Thermal and Mecca.
Other locations covered by the warning area include Highway 74 between Anza and Palm Desert, Highway S22 between Borrego Springs and the Imperial County line, the Santa Rosa Mountains, and Sky Valley.
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Jennifer Cortez covers education and breaking news in the Coachella Valley. Reach her at jennifer.cortez@desertsun.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Dust storm warning expires for large section of Coachella Valley
Reporting by Jennifer Cortez, Palm Springs Desert Sun / Palm Springs Desert Sun
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Jennifer Cortez, Palm Springs Desert Sun | USA TODAY Network
