New concerns: Salinas river current ‘could cause significant flooding west of Salinas’

MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (KION-TV) — As orders for evacuation of homes and businesses along the Salinas River continue to increase, there are new fears that flooding could hit Highway 68.

According to a county statement, “The Salinas River may overflow its banks on Spreckels/Route 68 before dawn on Monday, March 13, which is expected to result in significant flooding of nearby farmland and may impact structures and critical infrastructure.”

If this sounds familiar, it’s because similar fears were raised during the January storms. The river then peaked at 24.6 feet, according to KION chief meteorologist Dann Cianki.

This time forecasts are 28 feet, but with some recognition from the county that river activity can be unpredictable.

But what exactly does a river with a peak at 28 feet look like?

According to some information on the National Weather Service web page, here’s what this could mean at different stages:

• 26 feet: Lower parts of Soledad, Gonzalez, Chualar, Spence and Spreckels will experience moderate flooding. At least 20,000 acres of farmland in the Salinas Valley are at risk of flooding. Dams in the lower reaches of the Salinas River could break. Some major and many secondary roads along the Salinas River will begin to flood. Highway 68 will be flooded.
• 27 ft: Lower parts of Castroville will begin to flood. Foster Road, one mile south of Salinas, will be flooded. Highway 156 near Castroville will begin to flood. Many minor roads in the Salinas Valley will be flooded and become impassable. Large areas of agricultural land in the Salinas Valley will be severely affected by flooding.
• 28 feet: Severe flooding will occur in the lower parts of Soledad, Gonzalez, Chualar, Spence, Spreckels and Castrovilla. Severe flooding will affect 40,000 acres or more of farmland in the Salinas Valley. Some of the main roads and most of the secondary roads in the Salinas Valley will be flooded and become impassable.
• 29 feet: All roads south and west of Spreckels will be flooded. US 101 will flood north of Soledad. Highway 1 south of Castroville near Nashua Road will be flooded. Many roads, houses, and farmlands in the Salinas Valley were severely affected by the floods.
• 30 feet: Catastrophic flooding awaits the entire lower Salinas Valley. The entire city of Salinas is at risk of flooding. Much of Castrovilla will be flooded. All roads near the Salinas River will be flooded and become impassable. 90,000 acres or more of farmland in the Salinas Valley will be subject to catastrophic flooding.

You understand… although at present the river is at a height of 23.42 feet.

To further indicate the county’s concerns, evacuation orders are in place for many homes and businesses along the Salinas River from King City north to the marina and Salinas River State Beach.

Given the information, the county is hopeful that people can prepare for the worst if major flooding occurs in the next couple of days.

Especially after the terrible flooding in the Pajaro area last weekend.