Imperial County hit by severe storms and power pole collapses

Severe storms and winds reaching up to 70 miles per hour caused significant damage across Imperial County, California, on Wednesday. The intense weather, which stalled over certain areas for several minutes, resulted in dozens of utility poles falling throughout the county.

In El Centro, specifically near Pitzer and McCabe roads, emergency responders from the county fire department and the Imperial Irrigation District (IID) assisted at least five motorists who were stranded when poles collapsed near their vehicles. While the individuals were shaken, no injuries were reported.

In Calexico, flooding on roadways prevented approximately 30 residents from leaving their homes temporarily. The storm also caused power outages affecting nearly 5,000 people across the county. Local officials, including Mayor Victor Legaspi, inspected the affected areas and advised residents to collect sandbags in anticipation of further rainfall.