Storm leaves flooding, fallen tree damage across Modesto area. Here’s what’s ahead
A break on New Year’s Day from wild weather across the Modesto region is allowing flooding on roadways to subside and residents and cleanup crews to remove fallen trees and repair damage.
Flooding remained a danger in some places, though. Residents who went out to East La Loma Park to enjoy the sunny Sunday were asked to leave midafternoon because Dry Creek was flooding, police reported. About 70 vehicles were in the park as police began to put up caution tape and clear out parkgoers. The gate into the park was shut and a park ranger manned it.
Likely the biggest traffic impact from Saturday’s storm was the closure of flooded Highway 99 in both directions near Kansas Avenue in Modesto. It was shut down between 5:40 p.m. Saturday and 3:05 a.m. Sunday, said California Highway Patrol Modesto office spokesman Officer Tom Olsen.
Southbound traffic was diverted at Kansas Avenue and northbound traffic at the Sixth Street off-ramp. That impacted downtown traffic, the Modesto Fire Department reported.
The department also reported that South Morton Boulevard was closed because of Dry Creek flooding near Beard Brook Park.
And in the 3 a.m. hour Sunday, firefighters responded to the 1100 block of South Seventh Street on a report of a vehicle off the roadway and submerged in water. Crews investigated and confirmed the vehicle was not occupied.
Olsen said a few areas remained flooded Sunday morning, including Highway 33 at Magnolia Avenue, just north of Patterson, and Eastin Road at Orestimba Creek, near Newman.
“I know someone drove around the posted warning signs yesterday and got stuck,” Olsen said in a text message Sunday morning. “Fortunately, they were able to seek higher ground.”
The CHP advises all motorists to not drive through standing water if you can’t gauge its depth. “A minor inconvenience may save you the embarrassment and costs associated in getting stranded, Olsen said, adding , “When Mother Nature brings it, she wins every time.”
The latest storm brought 1.66 inches of rain from Saturday into the early hours of Sunday, according to the Modesto Irrigation District. MID has reported a total of 8.3 inches in the current water year, measured from July 1. An average year brings 12.12 inches.
The saturated soil, combined with wind gusts and possibly unhealthy trees brought trees and limbs down in at least a few places, the Modesto Fire Department reported.
A little after 4:30 p.m. Saturday, crews were dispatched to the 900 block of Fourth Street for a tree into power lines. They ensured there was no danger to residences and called the Modesto Irrigation District to the scene.
Just before 6 p.m. in south Modesto, an engine crew responded to the 700 block of Anthony Avenue for a tree that had fallen onto an RV and across Turlock Irrigation District power lines. Occupants of the RV were accounted for, and affected residents were isolated from the area.
Crews were on scene several hours until TID secured the power lines. County Public Works was notified, and the Red Cross assisted three people.
And about 11:45 p.m., a tree fell on a residence on the 300 block of Standiford Avenue, just west of McHenry Avenue. After utilities were secured, firefighters remained on scene for a couple of hours to assist the homeowner. The American Red Cross relocated the resident for the night.
After a mostly clear and calm New Year’s Day, rain is likely in Modesto on Monday, mainly after 3 p.m., according to the National Weather Service. A southeast wind of 6 to 11 mph is forecast, with gusts as high as 21 mph. New precipitation amounts between a 10th and quarter of an inch are possible.
Monday’s 60% chance of rain falls to 50% by Monday night, mainly before 10 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. Less than a 10th of an inch is expected.
Tuesday should be mostly cloudy, but there’s a 30% of rain Wednesday morning after 4 a.m. The remainder of Wednesday and into Wednesday night carries a 90% chance of rain, the weather services says.
The rain is expected to continue Thursday and Thursday night, as well, and a chance of rain remains through Saturday.
City of Modesto residents can call these numbers to report any storm-related problems:
▪ Call 209-577-6200 for emergency street flooding and clogged storm drains
▪ Call 209-342-2253 for tree emergencies
▪ Call 209-342-2297 to report traffic signal or streetlight outages
▪ Call the Modesto Irrigation District at 209-526-8222 to report downed power lines and power failures. Turlock Irrigation District customers can call TID’s 24-hour service line at 209-883-8301 to report power failures.
This story was originally published January 1, 2023 at 12:56 PM.
