Storm breaches California river’s levee, thousands evacuate

Incessant rain has brought flooding and landslides to California, closing roads, felling trees and raising avalanche fears, prompting widespread evacuation orders. A northern California levee breached overnight as the state was hit by the first in a series of atmospheric rivers. Across the Central Coast’s Monterey County, more than 8,500 people were under evacuation orders and warnings Saturday, including roughly 1,700 residents — many of them Latino farmworkers — from the unincorporated community of Pajaro. 

Officials said the Pajaro River’s levee breach is about 100 feet (30.48 meters) wide. Crews had gone door to door Friday afternoon to urge residents to leave before the rains came but some stayed and had to be pulled from floodwaters early Saturday. 

ANOTHER VIEW IN PAJARO! Our hearts are with all the families and businesses of this community! pic.twitter.com/h8MR4Bd5Df

— Luis Alejo (@SupervisorAlejo) March 11, 2023

California is under a state of emergency as an 'atmospheric river' has brought more rain and snow in the region. The disaster comes as the state has faced a series of severe storms and is currently being hit with unrelenting rain which could last until Wednesday.

Mandatory Evacuation orders issued for the Community of #Pajaro due to a #LeveeBreak. Please heed evac warnings/orders. Pajaro River levee broke early this morning resulting in active flooding. #Evacuate if told. #TurnAroundDontDrown @Cal_OES @CaltransHQ @CAgovernor pic.twitter.com/tDttiTcaC0

— California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (@Cal_OES) March 11, 2023

Rescue operations were carried on in full swing with the use of high-water vehicles with the help of the sheriff’s diving team and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s swift-water team. 

The Pajaro Valley is a coastal agricultural area known for growing strawberries, apples, cauliflower, broccoli and artichokes.