Planada warned of new threat as releases start from Merced County flood control dams

Andrew Kuhn

Evacuation warnings have been issued for areas of Planada and Le Grand as the Army Corps of Engineers is predicting Mariposa Creek and Owens Creek flood control dams will reach capacity at about 9 p.m. Friday, according to the Merced County Sheriff’s Office.

Much of Planada was flooded by early January storms.

To keep the dams intact, more water will be released using a bypass channel. The sheriff’s office is advising residents to plan ahead and to gather important medication, documents, animals and device chargers, according to a Merced County Sheriff’s Office news release. Shelters are available in Merced and Atwater for those who choose to evacuate and have nowhere to go.

The shelter at the Merced County Fairgrounds opened Thursday at 1 p.m. and a shelter at the Atwater Community Center opened at 5 p.m. Thursday, according to the release. Residents in the Pira Drive area are advised to follow the City of Merced’s recommendations, according to the sheriff’s office.

With a strong storm threatening much of California, Gov. Gavin Newsom expanded an emergency proclamation Wednesday, adding 21 additional counties including Merced County.

City of Merced fortifies Bear Creek

The city of Merced has been working since January to fortify the banks of Bear Creek as well as Fahrens and Cottonwood creeks. Thursday morning, the city and county declared local emergencies to assist in mitigation efforts and to be able to offer resources to community members, according to spokesperson Jennifer Flachman.

Flachman said the city is closely monitoring the situation and is prepared to issue warnings and notify residents if needed.

Public works crews have been working to fortify areas that have previously flooded. Crews have been placing sandbags and walls along Bear Creek near Highway 59. Public Works is continuing to monitor all areas of Bear Creek including near Highway 59 and between G Street and Parsons Avenue where areas of the creek bank had to be built up after previous storms, according to Flachman.

Chief Operating Officer of Leap Carpenter Kemps Insurance, Dave Cribb, 64, of Oakdale, places sandbags along the front of the home of one of the company’s employees on Driftwood Drive, while preparing for upcoming rainstorms in Merced, Calif., on Thursday, March 9, 2023. According to the resident, the home took on about five inches of water during the previous heavy rains and flooding.
West North Bear Creek Drive is closed near the intersection with Driftwood Drive, in Merced, Calif., on Thursday, March 9, 2023.
West North Bear Creek Drive is closed near the intersection with Driftwood Drive, in Merced, Calif., on Thursday, March 9, 2023.
Sandbags line West North Bear Creek drive in Merced, Calif., on Thursday, March 9, 2023.
Sandbags line West North Bear Creek drive in Merced, Calif., on Thursday, March 9, 2023.

“At this time we continue to urge all residents to avoid the waterways and walking paths,” said Flachman.

Flachman said residents are advised to create an evacuation plan and to share the information with family and friends. Identify any medicines or life-saving devices that may be needed and to secure belongings up off the ground to avoid damage due to flooding.

“We’re just asking people to plan and to be aware that these storms could bring significant amounts of rain,” Flachman said.

Roads are floodways, fire chief says

According to Merced City Fire Chief Derek Parker, residents should anticipate localized flooding with the storm Thursday night through Friday.

Parker said the roadways in the city are designed to be used as floodways. Motorists are advised to move their vehicles to higher ground especially if they were impacted by previous storms.

“We are taking significant measures to fortify the banks with plastic floodwall they call muscle wall,” Parker said.

According to Parker, fill dirt has been added to levees in some areas along Bear Creek with 18 to 24 inches of new earth added in some locations.

“We are taking every step possible after learning the ins and outs of how water flows around here from a storm two months ago,” said Parker.

Information on how to prepare for the storms as well as sandbag locations are available through the City of Merced website and Subscribe Merced.

City of Merced wastewater treatment plant employees Trent Rivera, 30, left, and Ed Quaresma, 40, right, fill sandbags to be used along Bear Creek while preparing for upcoming rainstorms in Merced, Calif., on Thursday, March 9, 2023.
City of Merced wastewater treatment plant employees Trent Rivera, 30, left, and Ed Quaresma, 40, right, fill sandbags to be used along Bear Creek while preparing for upcoming rainstorms in Merced, Calif., on Thursday, March 9, 2023.
City of Merced employees fill sandbags to be used along Bear Creek while preparing for upcoming rainstorms in Merced, Calif., on Thursday, March 9, 2023.
City of Merced employees fill sandbags to be used along Bear Creek while preparing for upcoming rainstorms in Merced, Calif., on Thursday, March 9, 2023.
City of Merced Public Works employee Ezekiel Gurr, 29, uses caulking to patch holes and tears in plastic sheeting covering a retaining wall along West North Bear Creek drive in preparation for upcoming rainstorms in Merced, Calif., on Thursday, March 9, 2023.
City of Merced Public Works employee Ezekiel Gurr, 29, uses caulking to patch holes and tears in plastic sheeting covering a retaining wall along West North Bear Creek drive in preparation for upcoming rainstorms in Merced, Calif., on Thursday, March 9, 2023.
Chief Operating Officer of Leap Carpenter Kemps Insurance, Dave Cribb, 64, of Oakdale, places sandbags along the front of the home of one of the company’s employees on Driftwood Drive, while preparing for upcoming rainstorms in Merced, Calif., on Thursday, March 9, 2023. According to the resident, the home took on about five inches of water during the previous heavy rains and flooding.
Chief Operating Officer of Leap Carpenter Kemps Insurance, Dave Cribb, 64, of Oakdale, places sandbags along the front of the home of one of the company’s employees on Driftwood Drive, while preparing for upcoming rainstorms in Merced, Calif., on Thursday, March 9, 2023. According to the resident, the home took on about five inches of water during the previous heavy rains and flooding.

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