Gene Autry and Vista Chino reopen after windy, tragic weekend

Palm Springs police reopened Gene Autry Trail through the Whitewater Wash on Tuesday morning. It had been closed for nearly two days after a crash caused by blowing sand and low visibility left three people dead.

Vista Chino, which had also been closed because of blowing sand, had reopened hours earlier.

The Riverside County coroner identified the victims in Sunday's crash as 29year-old David Losacco, 29-year-old Millicent Lewis and 32-year-old Yovani Aguilar Tapia, all of Escondido.

Although the roads reopened Tuesday, winds could again be an issue in the wash areas of the Coachella Valley on and off through Thursday: The National Weather Service said winds of 10 to 15 mph with gusts of up to 25 mph were expected during the day and early evening Tuesday.

However, it was expected to be calmer in central Palm Springs, with winds of only 5 to 10 mph expected.

Such closures of wash roads have been a mainstay of life in Palm Springs in recent weeks: Vista Chino, North Gene Autry Trail and North Indian Canyon Drive were all closed for days following Tropical Storm Hilary last month, with Indian Canyon expected to remain blocked off for weeks longer for repairs from storm damage.

Earlier this year, regional officials confirmed they had received enough money to construct a $95 million bridge on Vista Chino at the wash, which they say will reduce the need for closures related to wind and flooding. A start date for construction has not been determined.

Road closures from Hilary continue

Several other roads across the Coachella Valley remained closed because of flooding and damage from Hilary. Here is a list of roads still closed as of Tuesday:

● Dillon Road between Ben Mar Road and Cabot Road in Desert Hot Springs

● Little Morongo Road between San Gorgonio Lane and Dillon Road in Desert Hot Springs

● North Indian Canyon Drive between Mission Lakes Boulevard and Pierson Boulevard in Desert Hot Springs

● Indian Canyon Drive between Sunrise Parkway and Train Station Road in Palm Springs

● Los Gatos Road at Date Palm Drive in Cathedral City

● Gerald Ford between Cook Road and Frank Sinatra Drive in Palm Desert (a temporary roadway has been constructed to provide access to businesses)

● Avenue 44 at the wash in Indio