MECCA, Calif. (AP) - Tremendous thunderstorms over the desert of southeastern California have caused flooding in the southern Coachella Valley.

Riverside County firefighters responded early Tuesday to approximately four flooded homes in Mecca. No injuries are reported but the situation was expected to require several hours of sandbagging.

The National Weather Service says the heavy rainfall in an area bounded by the Salton Sea communities of Oasis, Mecca and North Shore is continuing but there are signs of weakening and movement to the southeast.

Rainfall since midnight exceed 5 inches in the area. The weather service says that at 5:40 a.m. the California Highway Patrol reported more than 3 feet of water covering Highway 111 resulting in vehicles getting stuck.

Forecasters say flood waters will be slow to drain off into the Salton Sea.

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