FRESNO (KMJ) — Warmer temperatures could lead to more roads being washed away in the Central Valley.
The National Weather Service is forecasting above normal heat over the coming week, and that could mean more melting snow and a boost to amount of water coming downstream.
“I would say that this year is an anomaly,” reveals Randy Ishii with Fresno County’s Road Maintenance and Operations. “We have had a record amount of snow and rainfall…the duration and amount of water is greater than in years passed.”
Spring snowmelt is in full swing over the high Sierra. Here’s an explanation of how it works.#cawx pic.twitter.com/9gEj2pTDGt
— NWS Hanford (@NWSHanford) June 5, 2017
He adds that local area roads are already proving susceptible to issues such as blocked culverts (the tunnel underneath the surface that allows water to pass through safely). A portion of Huntington Lake Road, on the north side of Huntington Lake, washed away in May. Repair work is scheduled to start June 7th.
“We do a proactive effort as best as we can, with our one hydro-combo unit and use that to clean our culverts throughout our system. But there’s lots of culverts throughout Fresno County.
“This one happens to be at Huntington Lake in U.S. Forest Service lands, and it was not known at the time during the winter period of December 1st through the following May 1st, when that whole area is covered with snow, that this culvert was plugged.”
Locals who see water washing over a road are being asked to contact officials, as impromptu streams like that can suggest there’s a problem with the drainage system.
“If they’re seeing water go across the asphalt on a road, please call us immediately,” asks Ishii.
The number to call during normal working hours is (559) 600-4240 for Fresno County’s Road Maintenance and Operations; after hours call Fresno County Sheriff’s Office on (559) 600-8137.
Hear the report from KMJ’s Dominic McAndrew as it aired:
