Paso Robles 2023 March Storm Updates

Paso Robles, CA. March 9, 2023, 2:00PM – City officials and staff are preparing for a series of

two atmospheric river storms forecasted to bring multiple inches of rain each to Paso Robles
between Thursday, March 9 and Friday, March 17. Please note the following:
Storm Info:
o This storm is now looking very similar to the storm activity we witnessed on January 9
and 10.
o A flood watch is in effect from 4:00PM Thursday, March 9 until 4:00am Saturday, March
11.
o Wind Gusts upwards of 50 MPH.
o Peak rainfall rates expected 8:00PM to noon tomorrow. Could see rain rates as high as ¾
to 1” per hour.
o Rainfall projections are 2-5 inches through SLO County and 5-10 inches in the NW areas
of the County.
Road Closures and Safety Measures:
o River Road will be preemptively closed to through traffic from Navajo to Creston and
Union to River Oaks beginning at 7:00PM on Thursday, March 9 and will reopen when it
is safe to do so. Access to businesses along N. River Road just north of Union Road will
be maintained, conditions allowing.
o The City has sand available for anyone wishing to make sandbags to protect private
property. Sand can be found at the City Streets Yard located at 1220 Paso Robles Street.
A shovel is onsite, but please bring your own sandbags as they are not available on site.
If you need sandbags, as of 7:30PM on 3/9/23, they are available at: Home Depot, Kritz
Excavation, Lowes, Miner’s Ace Hardware, and Steve Schmidt Topsoil.
o Police and Fire personnel are allocating significant resources to advise individuals within
the Salinas riverbed to relocate to higher grounds immediately.

o Staff and equipment are in place for both storms and prepared to mobilize as conditions
dictate.
Care and Shelter:
• Warming centers for the unhoused will be open within Paso Robles over the next several
days as follows:
o March 9
o Plymouth Congregation Church (1301 Oak St)
o Doors open at 6:00PM and dinner will be served
o March 10 and 11
o First United Methodist Church (915 Creston Rd)
o Doors open at 6:00PM and dinner will be served
o March 13 and 14
o Paso Nazarene Church (530 12th St)
o Doors open at 6:00PM and dinner will be served
Prepare and Protect:
o All residents living in an area prone to flooding should have a plan in place on where you
will go if you need to evacuate. Plan for your pets and any medication or items you need
to bring with you.
o It is strongly advised to avoid driving through, entering, or playing in moving water at all
times.
o During major storm events, public safety resources are in high demand, avoiding
situations that may require an emergency response is a priority.
Residents needing to report non-emergency storm issues, such as a blocked storm drain or
debris blocking safe travel on a City street, should call the non-emergency dispatch line at (805)
237-6464. If it is an emergency, dial 9-1-1. Storm updates will be provided as necessary on
PRCity.com and official social media feeds.
Storm updates will be posted on the homepage of www.prcity.com as needed.