Rain and flash floods pummel Coachella Valley and parts of Riverside County

LA QUINTA - Rain and flash floods triggered by the leftover moisture and energy from Hurricane Norbert pummeled the Coachella Valley and other parts of Riverside County today, as the first thunderstorm of the day mushroomed in the mountains above La Quinta.

Shortly before 11 a.m., a strong stationary thunderstorm had developed over the Santa Rosa Mountains and was affecting California 74 (The Pines to Palms Highway), which links San Diego and the Coachella Valley.

But by the afternoon the fierce rainfall began to wreak havoc in eastern and western Riverside County. It even produced lightning t...