Storm Updates: Twentynine Palms Assesses Damage as Residents Grapple with Flooded Homes
Red Cross contact information—and we want to know if you experienced damage
Update 12pm, July 17:
1. A drop off location for donations of supplies is being coordinated by the City of Twentynine Palms. We’ll update this with info once we have it.
2. The Red Cross is offering assistance to homes with 18” deep water damage or water lines above electrical sockets. For mobile homes that’s slightly less. Another number to try is 800-675-5799.
3. The City has also released a status update with information on help from Team Rubicon, see City social media for details.
Update 5pm, July 15: The Twentynine Palms Water District is also experiencing major storm damage which causes unnecessary waste of our precious water resources. If you see rushing water that seems out of place (like a spouting fire hydrant for instance) report it by calling their 24 hour hotline at 760-367-7546 and giving the location of the problem.
A few quick updates on the damage from flash flooding on July 14, 2024:
The Red Cross can help: 800-733-2767
The Desert Trumpet has verified a Red Cross number to call for assistance:
800-733-2767. Each case is handled differently but they can assist with clean-up funds, replacing lost medication etc.
City damage assessments ongoing, no emergency declaration yet
The City of Twentynine Palms is still assessing damage to determine if the threshold for a disaster declaration has been met.
Sheriff Traffic Update (7 am)
• Highway 62 at Encelia Drive is open both eastbound and westbound lanes.
• Adobe Rd between Didsbury Rd and Raymond Dr remains closed both directions, use alternate routes.
Fire Department stats, these are San Bernardino Fire Department calls only
Per San Bernardino Fire Captain Eric Spies:
• 30 calls received between 2 pm and 6 pm on Sunday specific to flooding
• Swift water call at Hwy 62 and Encelia: 15 cars stuck in water;
9 people were assisted out of their vehicles, 6 people were carried. 10 people were
evaluated by paramedics, 1 person was transported to High Desert Medical Center via ambulance
• Swift water call at Adobe and Sun Valley Dr., one person in a vehicle with water
to windows, assisted out of vehicle
• Swift water call, 6000 Block of Cahuilla, one person trapped in residence with
major flooding, assisted from residence
Thunderstorms are predicted for later today
Fire Captain Eric Spies also spoke to the challenges of predicting flooding from thunderstorms, saying that advance warning is difficult because the flooding doesn’t always occur in the same area as the storm itself. However, when storms are predicted, they do put swift water teams in place should they be needed.
What’s Going on in 29 Palms on Facebook
Residents are using the What’s Going On in 29 Palms Facebook group as a resource for help with cleanup. Per that page, Palms Baptist Church is asking for assistance with a clean up today (Monday, July 15) at 6pm, Mark Speer Automotive is closed due to mud debris, and there are numerous posts seeking and offering assistance.
Commuters of the Morongo Basin on Facebook is also a good resource for road conditions and weather information.
Did you experience damage? Are you insured? Share your experience.
When queried about assistance, some officials suggest residents contact their insurance…but flood insurance is supplemental to homeowners and renters policies. So we’re curious—do you have insurance?
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