Property in San Ardo remains flooded from recent storms on March 11, with the unincorporated community south of King City under evacuation orders. (Courtesy of Chris Lopez)

SAN ARDO — Much of San Ardo in South Monterey County remains flooded from recent storms this week, with the unincorporated community about 20 miles south of King City under evacuation orders.

San Ardo Union School District canceled classes on Monday and Tuesday due to the evacuations, and warnings were issued about the town’s water supply, which may be contaminated from the floodwater.

Residents are advised not to use the tap water for drinking or cooking until further notice.

Bottled water is being distributed in the area, and potable water is available at the San Ardo Branch Library, 62350 College St., where residents can bring a clean water container (5 gallons maximum capacity) to fill up.

Other locations under evacuation orders are areas of Arroyo Seco and the Salinas River, from Greenfield to Gonzales and from Gonzales to Spreckels.

Heavy rains have undermined and washed out a section of Arroyo Seco Road west of Greenfield on March 10, creating a 40-foot drop on one side and making it impassable.

The Arroyo Seco community remained under evacuation orders through the weekend, with some residents who stayed in the area being asked to shelter in place because road damage made evacuation not possible.

A temporary evacuation point open 24 hours has been created at King City Library, 402 Broadway St., for those in need. In addition, an evacuation shelter open 24 hours has been set up at Holy Trinity Church Hall, 27 S. El Camino Real, in Greenfield.

Additional resources, including an evacuation map and list of road closures, are available online at tinyurl.com/2023pineappleexpress.

Packages of bottled water are distributed to residents in San Ardo due to the town’s water supply possibly being contaminated from floodwater. (Courtesy of Chris Lopez)
Water rises underneath the Highway 101 bridge over the Salinas River in King City on March 12. (Jon Allred/Staff)
Floodwater flows like a waterfall over a damaged section of Arroyo Seco Road west of Greenfield on March 10. (Courtesy of Monterey County)
A view of the flooding south of the Gonzales River Bridge on River Road on March 11. (Courtesy of Chris Lopez)
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Ryan Cronk is the managing editor for King City Rustler and Salinas Valley Tribune, a unified publication of Greenfield News, Soledad Bee and Gonzales Tribune. He covers general news for South Monterey County and the surrounding communities.

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