Flooding near Pajaro River forces stretch of Highway 1 to be closed

Officials were keeping an eye on the weather, as another second atmospheric river bore down on the region.

The flooding near the Pajaro River that forced thousands of people to flee from flood waters prompted authorities in Monterey County to close a stretch of Highway 1 early Sunday.

The Monterey County Office of Emergency Services announced the full closure of the highway from Salinas Road to Highway 129 (Riverside Drive) at 9:15 a.m. Sunday.

The development was the latest hardship for an area that saw evacuation shelters continuing to fill following a breach in the levee that sent water cascading into Pajaro, the unincorporated town near the river where many farmworkers live.

In the distance, more danger loomed, as a second atmospheric river continued with Jaws-like relentlessness to push toward the California coast. Its projected path was expected to further affect the flooded areas, and perhaps create new ones, according to the National Weather Service.

“We’re keeping a close eye on the Salinas River,” Monterey County spokesperson Nicholas Pasculli said Sunday morning. “That’s a big concern for us.”

A flood warning went into effect at 1 a.m. for the Salinas River near Spreckels, and residents there were urged to be prepared to seek higher ground. The river is a rare one in that it flows south to north, and Pasculli said areas along the river from Greenfield to the south and Gonzales in the north may be in peril.

As of Sunday morning, 3,400 people were under evacuation orders or warnings in Monterey County, according to Pasculli. Officials had received no reports of injuries or deaths caused by the flooding.

Those who had to flee sought shelter at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds on East Lake Boulevard in Watsonville; the Compass Church on Main Street in Salinas; the Holy Trinity Church Hall on El Camino Real in Greenfield; and the Salvation Army Contra Costa Division on Contra Costa Street in Seaside.

“There are still room at the shelters,” Pasculli said. “We are looking to add capacity.”

Weather service forecasters said Sunday would bring light showers throughout the region but likely no more than a quarter-inch of accumulation. That will continue into Monday.

On Monday night, the full wave of the atmospheric river will arrive, according to the weather service. And that could mean at least 2 inches of rain and as much as 3 inches for areas of Monterey County. In San Jose, 1-2 inches of rain are expected, and 1-1½ inches in Contra Costa County.

Winds also are expected to be heavy, and trees are expected to topple. Officials also are concerned about landslides, because the ground already is so saturated from previous storms that have hit the Bay Area routinely since December.

This is a developing story, please check back for updates.