More heavy rain is set to hit the low-lying areas of Santa Cruz County this week. In Watsonville, memories are still fresh for many of the ruinous floods of 1995, which brought about two deaths and almost $100 million in damages, due to a breach in the aging system of levees on the river. More flooding followed in 1997 and 1998, and the levees almost failed again in 2017.
South County
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‘This is extremely serious’: All PVUSD schools closed Monday amid flash flood warnings
With flash flood warnings in effect, the Pajaro Valley Unified School District announced that classes were canceled Monday at all of its schools. On Sunday, the district said it would cancel Monday and Tuesday classes for schools including Ann Soldo Elementary School, Hall District Elementary School, Ohlone Elementary School, Lakeview Middle School, Pajaro Middle School and Watsonville High School. About 4,620 students attend those schools.
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Your photos: A look at Santa Cruz County storms, recovery through our readers’ eyes
We asked readers to share their photos from the storms that battered Santa Cruz County in early 2023, and the cleanup and recovery efforts that followed, and many responded. Here’s a selection of the most dramatic reader storm photos from across Santa Cruz County.
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Where we stand: Fast-coming storm prompts fears of major flooding in Santa Cruz County
Some Californians received a test of the earthquake early-warning system seven hours before the appointed time, waking…
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Santa Cruz County Storms: Where we stand on Sunday
Another storm moved through Santa Cruz County overnight, bringing heavy rain and high winds. There is more on the way. A second system is expected to move in Sunday night through Tuesday afternoon, bringing heavy rain through Monday. The storm is expected to drop 3-5 inches of rain across the Monterey Bay and up to nine inches at the highest peaks.
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Where we stand on Thursday evening: Storm damage and up 5 more inches of rain coming in next 2 storms
As of Thursday, Rio del Mar and the mouth of Pajaro River have flooded, strong high tide swells have wrecked the Seacliff pier and overwhelmed Santa Cruz’s West Cliff Drive, forcing partial closure of road and an evacuation of the wharf. Across the county, at least 23 roads are closed. And while this storm has mostly subsided, two more storms will hit Santa Cruz County between Thursday and Monday.
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Santa Cruz County Storm: Where We Stand Wednesday Evening
We’re still midway through the impact of this storm. “The weather service is saying maybe not as much rain as initially expected, but higher winds,” says Melodye Serino, deputy county chief administrative officer. “So we may not have as much flooding, but we’ll have road problems because trees will come down, debris will get into the waterways.” As dawn breaks tomorrow, we’ll see the extent of the damage.
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Hotels filling up as evacuees look for shelter
Some Californians received a test of the earthquake early-warning system seven hours before the appointed time, waking…
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Mandatory Evacuation orders issued for Soquel Village, Rio Del Mar, and Paradise Park
Officials are now calling for mandatory evacuation for increasing areas of the county, with Mid-County being a focal point.
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‘We can’t produce the sandbags as fast as we’re handing them out’
Some Californians received a test of the earthquake early-warning system seven hours before the appointed time, waking…