Flooding closes Hwy. 101 south of Salinas after levee break

Update, 9 a.m. Thursday

Highway 101 is now open both ways, with some CHP escorts on the northbound side of the road, Caltrans said at 7 a.m. The agency urged motorists to use caution in the area.

Original story:

The Monterey County Office of Emergency Services is reporting that flooding south of Salinas has caused the closure of a section of Highway 101.

According to the agency, both lanes of Highway 101 are closed due to flooding near Esperanza and Chualar roads, in the community of Chualar, approximately 10 miles southeast of Salinas.

BigSurKate reports that a section of Highway 101 near Chaular is under 3 feet of water.

The Monterey Herald newspaper cites the Greenfield Fire Department in reporting that the flooding is being caused by a failed levee near Chualar Union School.

It was not immediately clear when the highway will reopen. A flood advisory for northeastern Monterey County, including Soledad and Gonzalez, is in place until at least 5:45 p.m.

Caltrans says work crews are on the scene with equipment pumping water from lanes.

Motorists are encouraged to avoid the area if possible.

This story was originally published December 4, 2019 at 5:29 PM.