Flooded roads and freeze watch prompt warnings from Merced County officials
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Officials urge caution, limit travel, and follow 'Turn Around Don’t Drown' warnings.
- County offers free sandbags, posts closures, and a hotline links to local aid groups.
- Freeze watch Feb. 19 10 p.m.–Feb. 21 9 a.m.; protect pipes and stay indoors.
As Merced County braces for heavy rain, some roads already have closed due to flooding.
According to data from the National Weather Service, Merced has received about 3.5 inches of rain this year. The county is also under a freeze watch from Thursday, Feb. 19 at 10 p.m. until Saturday, Feb. 21 at 9 a.m.
In a Facebook post, the Merced County Office of Emergency Services advised residents to :
- Protect your pipes: Insulate exposed outdoor pipes, disconnect garden hoses, and cover outdoor faucets. Know where your main water shut-off valve is in case of a pipe burst.
- Use caution on the roads: Recent rain may lead to icy conditions. Limit travel if possible. Slow down.
- Stay warm: Remain indoors during the coldest parts of the night and early morning.
- Check on others: Make sure elderly neighbors, family members and those without adequate heating are safe.
- Protect pets: Bring pets indoors and ensure they have a warm, dry place to stay.
Road Closures in Merced County
Information about road closures is available on the County of Merced’s website at www.countyofmerced.com/801/Road-Closures-Delays
As of Thursday afternoon, the following roads are closed:
- El Capitan Way and Santa Fe Drive
- Snelling Road south of La Paloma Road
- Yosemite Avenue between Kibby Road. and Arboleda Drive
- Silveria Way and Harvey Pettit Road
- Bert Crane Road between John Sanders Road and Lisbon Street
- Santa Fe Grade between Gun Club and Wilson roads
- Dan McNamara Road between Sandy Mush and Green House roads
- Buhach Road between Brooks Road and Bailey Avenue
The closures on Bert Crane Road and Santa Fe Grade are due to flooding, but not all closures are . The two closures Thursday morning at El Capitan Way and Santa Fe Drive and on Snelling Road south of La Paloma Road were due to unspecified “emergency situations.”
The National Weather Service has launched a “Turn Around Don’t Drown” campaign and warns drivers not to attempt to cross or go through flooded roads.
Resources in Merced County
The Merced County Office of Emergency Services provides free sandbags to residents across the county to mitigate potential flood damage.
Sandbags are available to pick up at the following locations:
Ballico Fire Station Address: 11284 Ballico Ave. Phone: 209-634-1022
Delhi Fire Station 16056 Acacia St. Phone: 209-634-5007
Dos Palos Y Fire Station 8047 W. Dairy Lane Phone: 209-387-4223
El Nido Fire Station 10537 S. Highway 59 Phone: 209-722-8452
Gustine Fire Station 686 Third Ave. Phone: 209-854-6804
Merced County Public Works 2165 W. Wardrobe Ave. (Thornton Road entrance) Phone: 209-385-7601
Planada Fire Station 9234 E. Broadway Phone: 209-382-0502
Santa Nella Fire Station 29190 Centinella Road Phone: 209-826-6339
Stevinson Fire Station 2738 Lander Ave. Phone: 209-634-708
Snelling Community Center 2490 Emma St. Phone: 209-563-6661
Le Grand Fire Station 3875 S. Santa Fe Ave. Phone: 209-389-4868
The Office of Emergency Services also operates a disaster hot line with additional community resources including United Way and Catholic Charities Merced. The phone number is 209-385-7563.
