SALINAS, Calif. – Residents in Monterey County are on high alert as evacuation warnings have been issued ahead of an incoming storm. Just two weeks after severe storms left hundreds of thousands of homes without power on the Central Coast of California, the state is bracing for another onslaught of storms set to arrive on Sunday evening.
The storm is expected to bring heavy rain, strong winds, high surf, thunderstorms, and the potential for flooding. The system is anticipated to be at its strongest from Sunday evening into Monday, with wind speeds of 15 to 30 mph persisting until Tuesday morning. In response to the looming threat, the County of Monterey has also issued a flash flood watch for residents in the River Fire burn scar area.
Given the hazardous weather conditions, emergency shelters have been opened in Santa Cruz County to provide refuge for those in need. The Vets Hall in Santa Cruz and Watsonville, as well as Depot Park, will be available for those seeking shelter from the impending storm.
Residents are encouraged to stay updated on the latest information and power outages through the PG&E Outage Center. Additionally, KSBW has compiled helpful guides for preparing for the upcoming weather event, including tips on what to keep and what to discard in the event of a power outage.
The forthcoming storms are expected to result in residual flooding, potential power outages, and the risk of shallow landslides due to the already saturated soils. As the situation continues to unfold, residents are advised to take necessary precautions and closely monitor local weather reports and evacuation guidelines.