Boulder Creek sees dramatic rainfall this winter

The wet weather is finally coming to a close and one town on the Central Coast said they cannot wait.

“It was pretty crazy,” said Boulder Creek resident Wade Boykin. “It’s been pretty rough.”

It’s also been one of the wettest winters on record in Boulder Creek.

“The new water flows, and how much the rivers were rising and everything is probably more dramatic than I’ve seen it before,” said Roger Spicer of Boulder Creek.

The National Weather Service said Boulder Creek has received 89 inches of rain this winter, which is almost double the amount of some of the surrounding cities. Santa Cruz has received 50 inches of rain and Monterey about 24.

“The rain just came and came and came and would not let up,” said Boykin.

It’s relentlessness left behind washed away roads, slides, lots of property damage, trapped residents and power outages.

“A lot more cleaning of roadways, waterways,” said Boulder Creek resident Orlando Alvarado. “Just a lot of different things you have to do to prepare to live through this.”

Meteorologists said Boulder Creek gets so wet because of the Santa Cruz mountains. When it rains in the mountains, the air is lifted up, which pours water into Boulder Creek.

“The clouds come, and they dump all the water, and the clouds leave,” said Boykin. “So we’re the lucky ones to receive all this water.”

Residents said while the wet downpours have created a stronger bond in the community and more jobs to fix storm damage, they’re ready for some sunshine.

“Everyone is ready for the rain to end,” said Spicer.