Caltrans Bracing For Storm With Sandbags Along Highway 70
OLIVEHURST (CBS13) — A week after storms socked the region, causing flooding across the valley, communities are bracing for the next round of storms.
The flooding from last weekend in Olivehurst still has the streets wet, and there's more on the way.
"When it comes down hard like that, it really gets us," said Bryan Benningfield.
Near Olivehurst, so much water hit a section of Highway 70 that a passenger in a car drowned when a driver went into at least six feet of flood water. That driver was arrested for driving under the influence.
Caltrans drains and pumps couldn't remove the water fast enough, causing a canal to overflow.
Ahead of the next round of storms, the state's Office of Emergency Services brought in sandbags stretching longer than a football field along Highway 70. In all, 3,500 sandbags are in place as a temporary safeguard.
"It's basically was like a flash flood. You just a lot of water coming down," said Caltrans spokesman Gilbert Mohtes-Chan said.
Caltrans is monitoring all its flood-prone locations ahead of this next storm.
"Our pumps are working, we've shored up this area. It's just a matter of how much volume of rain," he said.
Olivehurst fire chief Wade Harrison was on scene at the highway drowning.
"It definitely took me by surprise," he said. "I did not believe it could get that deep in that location."
Now his volunteer fire department is on alert ahead of the next round of rain.
"I informed the entire department be prepared to keep your pagers on, and if you hear something come back we need the help," he said.