Atmospheric river causes traffic problems in Fresno area, CHP says. How much rain has fallen?
Torrential downpour caused by the atmospheric river in caused headaches in Fresno during rush hour Thursday.
California Highway Patrol spokesman Mike Salas said officers responded to many calls and said the department is seeing “triple the amount of call volume” of a typical day.
The National Weather Service in Hanford tweeted in the early afternoon that the precipitation will continue to spread northeast across the central San Joaquin Valley as the atmospheric river remains pointed at the area.
“Expect the rain and higher mountain snow to continue for the next several hours,” the NWS wrote.
The NWS predicts the rain totals from 10 a.m. Thursday to 4 a.m. Monday to be at least 1.5 inches in Fresno, with totals expected to see at 4 inches at Shaver Lake and surrounding mountain areas.
Meteorologist David Spector said at least .98 inches of rain has fallen in Fresno.
He said continuous rainfall should end about 6 p.m. Thursday, with on-and-off rain expected in the evening.
Salas offered advice to motorists after seeing several crashes and spinouts on Thursday. At Olive and Peach, the roadway was flooded that stalled some vehicles.
“If you have to be out there driving in this weather please reduce your speed, buckle up and put those distractions away including your cell phone,” he said. “We are seeing numerous traffic collision and hazards throughout Fresno County, including flooded roadways, trees falling and obviously car crashes.”
CHP has available officers out on patrol and officers are expecting a “very” busy evening due to the weather conditions not only in the Valley, but also up In the higher elevations where it is snowing.”
“If you are going up into the mountain areas, please take snow chains. You are required to carry them with you. Also do yourself a favor and learn how to put an install tire chains on before you head up to the mountains so you don’t run the risk of getting stuck and having to put them on in the snow.”
No serious injuries were reported in the crashes.
This story was originally published December 23, 2021 at 5:20 PM.
