Downed power lines, dust advisory from high winds in Imperial County

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) -- High winds in eastern San Diego County and in Imperial County caused a wall of dust to blow across Interstate 8 and knocked some power lines onto the freeway, closing it to through traffic.

Caltrans issued a high wind advisory for Interstate 8 from Alpine to Ocotillo amid the severe weather. Drivers are advised to reduce speed and use headlights and wipers as thunderstorms move through the region.

Caltrans reports both directions of I-8 at Gordons Well Road in Imperial Valley are closed because of downed power lines that were blown onto the freeway. Officials say it is never safe to touch downed power lines.

Downed power poles are also blocking SR-115 in both directions from Miller Road to I-8 in Imperial Valley, Caltrans reports.

The high winds created a wall of dust from near Calexico to near El Centro Naval Airfield to Plaster City, according to NWS. There was less than one mile of visibility on Interstate 8, and along CA Route 111 and on CA Route 86. A dust advisory was in place until 4:15 p.m. Monday.

The high winds came with severe thunderstorms that moved across Southern California on Monday. The warnings mostly expired by Monday afternoon, however some flash flood warnings and flood watches and advisories remained in place through the evening.

In Imperial County, a flood watch will remain in effect through Monday evening. NWS reports high atmospheric moisture, in combination with instability and slow moving showers and storms, could bring heavy rainfall and flooding to the region.

Other emergency road closures in Imperial County due to downed power poles include portions of Clark Road, Bennett Road and Anza Road.

This follows a weekend of rain and lightning from increased monsoonal moisture sweeping through the region. And it’s not over just yet, some parts of San Diego County could see more precipitation through Tuesday.

Full forecast at fox5sandiego.com/weather