One inch of rain floods some roads in Merced
Merced resident Tracy James was riding her bike with extra caution down Conestoga Drive on Tuesday afternoon, hoping to avoid getting splashed by passing cars.
Her bicycle, she said, is her main source of transportation, and rainy days with flooded roads make it hard to get around. On Monday, she fell off her bike, scraping her right hand, and arrived home soaking wet.
Conestoga Drive, like several other streets and driveways in Merced, was transformed into a pond after Tuesday’s rain. The National Weather Service measured 1.01 inches of rainfall by 5 p.m. Tuesday.
James Weaver was raking leaves in front of his Austin Avenue home, near Conestoga. He has lived there for 25 years, and the flooding near his home gets worse every year, he said. He pointed to trees that have roots pushing on the concrete on sidewalks and streets, creating uneven roads that trap rainwater.
“My neighbor gets a lake out by her driveway,” he said. “I clean a bit, but the rainwater does not drain; it can’t go anywhere.”
On Tuesday, the main issues for the city’s public works department were flooded areas near the Childs Avenue and Martin Luther King Jr. Way intersection, which closed part of Childs Avenue until about 5 p.m. The bike tunnel at G Street near Merced High School also closed because of flooding.
Mike Conway, a city spokesman, said public works crews are out checking for flooding issues and responding to calls from residents. People also post on the city’s Facebook page when water on streets is deeper than usual, he said. People who prefer to call in can do so at 209-385-6800.
Many homes and businesses are using sandbags to keep the rain out; others are experiencing trouble with leaky roofs.
Maria Ramirez of Leo’s Roofing Company in Merced said their phones have been busier than usual these past few days. Rainy days make roof damage more noticeable to homeowners, while others simply wait until the last minute despite knowing their roof needs work, she said.
Customers are advised to keep their rain gutters free of debris and leaves so that water can flow properly. Ramirez also said that one of the biggest challenges for roof work is getting a break from the rain. Roofers usually only schedule work when they are guaranteed a window of a few dry days.
A two-day break from the rain is expected in the area. According to the NWS, Merced will see mostly sun and some early fog Wednesday and Thursday. Highs near 62 degrees and winds of up to 15 mph also are anticipated.
Another storm is expected to move into the area Friday. The chance of precipitation is 80 percent, according to the NWS website.
The NWS advises motorists to avoid roads covered in water as floodwaters are usually deeper than they appear. Just one foot of water is powerful enough to sweep cars off the road, the NWS warned.
This story was originally published January 19, 2016 at 6:12 PM with the headline "One inch of rain floods some roads in Merced."