Rainy start to the week spells some trouble for local roads

From closures to crashes, first responders and county road crews were busy on Monday morning. Rain caused localized flooding through South County. The Monterey County Public Works Department closed Hartnell Road from Highway 101 to Alisal Road. Middlefield Road and Old Stage at Potter also had flooding but they were not closed. The county also says it had reports of at least three downed trees. Roadways near them are mostly back open.

The California Highway Patrol says between 9 am-10 am, it responded to eight crashes. Highway 101 near Prunedale seemed to be the trouble spot, with several crashes there. One involved a highway patrol officer who was responding to another crash.

“He was assisting with the crash when someone who wanted to pay more attention to the collision, instead of the roadway in front of him, did not notice vehicles slowed in front of him slowed, so he hit the brake, lost control and ran into the back of our patrol vehicle,” CHP Public Information Officer Oscar Loza said.

It’s been a while since we’ve had a healthy dose of rain. That rain brings up grease and oil that’s been building up on the roads and makes for pretty slick conditions. CHP says those slick conditions and speed are to blame for several accidents. Officers say two lane roads and curvy highways area also challenges.

“If you get a glare or you get temporarily blinded,” Officer Loza explained, “Try to look to your lower right where you can see the white fog line. That will help you stay on the road.”

CHP also says rumble strips outside of that white fog line can help guide drivers. They let drivers know when they are about to go off the roadway. It’s very helpful when driving on muddy roads.

ORIGINAL POST:

Monday’s rainy weather is good practice for what’s expected to be a rather rainy winter.

CHP officers were busy patrolling the roads, making sure everyone had their wipers and headlights on.

Here are the latest road advisories and closures:

Flooding:

– Hartnell Rd. in Salinas is closed between Alisal Rd. and Highway 101 due to flooding

– Old Stage Rd. at Potter Rd. in Salinas has some flooding

– Middlefield Road in Salinas also has some flooding

Trees down:

– Meridian Road in Salinas is closed between Archer Rd. and Dryer Rd. due to downed tree

– Sylvan Rd. at Sylvan Place in Monterey has been re-opened after a downed tree

– Ocean View Avenue in Carmel has also been re-opened after a downed tree