Evacuations lifted for residents near Carmel River

UPDATE 2/21/17 10:00 a.m.: Mandatory evacuations for residents along the Carmel River have been lifted, according to county officials.

The American Red Cross evacuation center at Carmel Middle School will be closed.

UPDATE 2/20/17 6:00 PM: Monterey County has placed residents along the Carmel River under mandatory evacuations.

This afternoon, residents in the Paso Hondo neighborhood were again preparing for the possibility of flooding from the river.

This time residents say they’ve learned from the last flood and are taking extra steps to protect their property.

The river is expected to peak at about 8 PM tonight. People in the low lying areas from Los Padres Dam to Mission Fields are asked to leave as soon as possible.

When residents experienced flooding last month, the river was said to have reached 9 feet. This time it’s expected to reach 10 feet, anything past 8 and a half feet is flood stage.

Monday, they waited to see how the river will affect their neighborhood this time.

It was an overnight nightmare for residents along Paso Hondo Road in January. The Carmel River bringing so much water, authorities issued evacuations.

Monday, residents geared up to face it once again, adding more sandbags than they did before. Residents do say that the last round of floods are helping their prep work now.

“We learned a lot from those couple floods, just the certain water levels that it came to and what levels to keep things above.” said resident Gary Briant.

A wall close to 2 feet tall was put in place alongside the river so the water wouldn’t come over and flood the neighborhood. When KION checked at noon the river was close to clearing it.

Though sandbags are in place, residents like Briant say they still might not be enough.

“If it floods like it did last time, the sandbags won’t help at all” said Briant. “What we’re trying to do here is prevent some for the water from the street from going into our driveway.”

Despite the fact that history may repeat itself, some are still thankful for the rain but do wish it would be a little more forgiving.

“Hopefully it slows down enough to let the river come back down” said a Paso Hondo resident. “Up and down is fine but as high as it’s been going, that’s really causing issues.

The American Red Cross is set up at Carmel Middle School, the SPCA is also offering help evacuating animals.

If you’d like more information you can call 211 or text 898-211 “windstorm.”

UPDATE 2/20/17 4:30 p.m.: Mandatory evacuations have been ordered for residents who may be affected by flooding along the Carmel River, according to Monterey County Office of Emergency Services.

County officials said the river is expected to flood at about 4 p.m. and peak at 8 p.m. People in low lying areas from the Los Padres Dam to Mission Fields are asked to leave the area as soon as possible.

The American Red Cross is set up at Carmel Middle School, 4389 Carmel Valley Rd. and animals can be taken to the SPCA for Monterey County.

Those looking for more information can call 211 or text 898-211 “windstorm.”

PREVIOUS STORY: Carmel Valley residents getting ready for history to repeat itself.

Homeowners on Paso Hondo Rd. are doubling the amount of sand bags they’ve put around their homes after the area was flooded by the Carmel River more than a month ago.

At it’s worst, the river reached 9 feet. This time residents say they’re anticipating it to go over 10 feet.

KION’s Zach Fuentes will have more from Carmel Valley at 6 p.m.