Several areas of Monterey County could be cut off by the crests of the Salinas River

Monterey County residents have been advised to prepare for major flood closures Thursday evening through Sunday morning as flood waters move across the Salinas River toward the coast.

Monterey County Sheriff Tina Nieto said at a press conference Thursday afternoon at the Salinas River Crossing on Blanco Road that residents of the Chualar, Spreckels and Rancho Las Palmas neighborhoods could be cut off from essential services due to the crests of the river. She said flooding would likely threaten areas from southwest Chualar to Spreckels and from the River Road corridor to the Salinas River Lagoon.

Nieto noted that the situation is changing by the hour and urged residents to check the official pages of the sheriff’s office and the county on social networks. The most accurate map of the area’s flooding can be found on the county’s website, she said.

“This is a slow event,” she said.

The river is forecast to remain flooded until 9 am Sunday.

Traffic disruptions are to be expected on State Highways 1 and 68, River Road, Reservation Road, Blanco Road and several secondary streets, Nieto said.

“It is imperative that you do not try to cross these roads,” Nieto said. Later at a press conference, in response to a reporter’s question, she said that district bridges could be closed due to the risk of bridge flooding, but not due to structural threats.

County Water Resources Agency Engineer Shonna Murray provided an update on water flows that she says will rise to the river crest in different areas at different times as the increased volume travels downstream.

Murray said peak river flows were still moving towards Chualar until 13:00 Thursday. Thursday’s forecast update showed that peak flow in the Spreckels area will be lower than previously forecast, but flooding remains a threat to River Road, Spreckels Boulevard and other low-lying roads.

“This is a dynamic situation that can change,” Murray said. Water agency officials continue to monitor river flow.

California Highway Patrol Captain Reggie Williams said the CHP is working with Caltrans and other agencies to keep local roads safe during the flood.

“Please limit your travel at this specific time,” Williams said.

Monterey County Supervisor Wendy Ruth Askew said county inspectors have been monitoring river levels all week and working to ensure state and federal resources are available to affected communities.

“We are coping with very unpredictable and unusual conditions on the Salinas River,” she said.

Tyler Williamson, mayor of Monterey, said the flooding may not directly affect the city, but those with families in the area and those who work in the city and live elsewhere will be affected. He said he reached out to hotel owners to help update visitors to the area.

“It’s important that we work in concert,” Williamson said.

Nieto said local hotels offer discounts for evacuees and there are shelters in the area for anyone experiencing homelessness.

For the latest county information on the impact of the storm, visit tinyurl.com/winterstormMC.

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texasstandard.news contributed to this report.

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