Salinas River Anticipated Flooding Information from Monterey County Officials on January 11

 

SALINAS, CA – The County of Monterey Sheriff’s Office in conjunction with

the Department of Emergency Management, California Office of Emergency

Services, other local and Federal partners, is urging the public to heed the

warnings of County officials as it concerns the potential for flooding along

the Salinas River from Soledad, southwest of Chualar, to Spreckels and the

River Road corridor, and then to the Salinas River Lagoon.

An Evacuation Order remains in effect until further notice for the areas

noted above. It is likely that if flooding occurs these communities could be

cut off from essential services. Residents and businesses need to act now to

protect life and property. The Salinas River has reached “monitor phase” in

the Spreckels area at 2:30p.m. on Wednesday, January 11, 2023. Using

predictive models from the National Weather Service and the Monterey

County Water Resources Agency, the Salinas River will be at flood stage at

or around 3 p.m. on Thursday, January 12. Based on the same models State

and local officials are preparing for continued flood stage thru 9 p.m.

Sunday, January 15.

Officials are confident that bridges will weather the storm impact as they

are designed to withstand the expected flows. The flooding concerns on the

roadways will likely impact the approaches to the bridges, low lying

intersections, and local surface streets. Roads near that are expected to be

affected include State Route 68, River Road, Reservation Road, Blanco Road,

multiple secondary roads, and potentially Highway 1. Residents both on the

peninsula and in the Salinas, area should expect to be cut off for two to

three days. If you see road closure signs it is imperative that you do not

attempt to traverse those roads. Turn around, Don’t Drown.

Residents should seek shelter at one of the County Evacuation Shelters,

with family or friends. Additionally, many hotels on the Peninsula are

offering discount accommodations for evacuees. Information is available by

calling 211 or on the Winter Storm 2023 website:

https://tinyurl.com/WinterStormMC

Residents and businesses are encouraged to sign up for emergency alerts at

Alert Monterey County,

https://member.everbridge.net/453003085611217/new . Up to date and

accurate information is available on social media as well. The County of

Monterey has very active Facebook and Instagram pages. Do not listen to

rumors, the facts are at your fingertips online.