No big problems on streets as rain falls in Modesto, Stanislaus

Downtown Modesto received 0.19 inches of rain between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Friday, according to Modesto Irrigation District monitors.

Drivers were doing fairly well on the roads, it appears. In the noon hour, Modesto police Sgt. David Mullins said the morning brought a couple of collisions with property damage but no serious injuries. Turlock police reported no weather-related collisions. Oakdale police also reported no crashes, and no flooding, either.

The city of Modesto also reported no flooding. “We haven’t even received any calls,” said Robert Englent, wastewater collection system manager, just after 1:30 p.m. Friday. “We’ve been watching the storm and thought we would be hit pretty hard.”

He said forecasts of 1 to 2 inches for Modesto were reduced to 0.5 inches to 1 inch.

“We’ve done a lot of work on storm drains in recent years,” he said, “and they can handle up to an inch with no drama at all.

“The season total is 13.36 inches, and we average just over 12, so I think we’ve done a pretty good job this year, not too bad on flooding.”

A National Weather Service flood watch remains in effect until 6 p.m. Sunday for Modesto, Oakdale, Turlock and other parts of Stanislaus County.

Saturday, there’s a 30 percent chance of rain after 10 a.m. The day should be mostly cloudy, with a high near 63. The chance of rain rises to 80 percent for Sunday, with an expected high near 61.

Monday should be partly sunny with a high near 66. There’s a 40 percent chance of showers.

This story was originally published March 11, 2016 at 12:42 PM with the headline "No big problems on streets as rain falls in Modesto, Stanislaus."