El Nino storms cause closures and delays in Santa Cruz

The Santa Cruz rain at one point was coming down so hard, drivers had to pull to the side of the road because visibility was that bad . Caltrans definitely had their hands full on Wednesday.

“We’re out keeping the roads safe for motorists because with the wet conditions, the roads become really unsafe,” said Manuel Platero with Caltrans.

Each highway had its share of problems. Drivers on Highway 9 were delayed as crews cleared a downed tree.

“We see highway 17 and highway 9…up there you get more slides,” Platero said.

The rain didn’t stop drivers from taking the treacherous Highway 17, which connects Santa Cruz to the South Bay. Leeroy Bowles made the slippery trip up from Watsonville to meet his son.

“There’s a little oil on the roads, and the roads are very slick. We had to drive pretty carefully and slowly,” said Bowles.

Bowles has lived in California for more than 70 years, and he says despite slick roads, the rain is welcomed in the drought-stricken state .

“Right now my yard is pretty flooded with water, but were not complaining, We’re just thankful. We need the water,” he said.

That water, however, is pooling up in places around Santa Cruz, making conditions unsafe for drivers. Crews are busy trying to fix that problem.

“Drains, that’s one of our concerns. And if they do plug up, they create lakes on the road so people hydroplane,” said Platero.

Closures stretched from land to sea. Park rangers closed Seacliff Beach to the public because of the large surf. Park rangers are unsure when it will reopen.

Caltrans wants to remind everyone to be aware of those working on the side of the roads and give them plenty of room to do their job.