Highway patrol urges residents to prepare for El Niño, use caution on wet roads
A vehicle drives on a wet street in front of Atascadero City Hall.
Coastal Division recommends slowing down, leaving extra space and avoiding flooded roadways
– The California Highway Patrol Coastal Division on Wednesday, Oct. 14, urged residents to prepare for heavy rainfall, potential coastal flooding and hazardous driving conditions as forecasts call for a strong El Niño this winter.
“With El Niño bringing severe weather our way, keeping our coastal communities safe is our highest priority,” said Mike Alvarez, chief of the Coastal Division. “Preparation starts today, both at home and on the road. These storms can create sudden, dangerous driving conditions, so we’re asking everyone to stay alert and slow down, so we all make it home safely.”
The division will monitor highway conditions and work with local agencies and Caltrans to respond to weather-related incidents, according to the release. The highway patrol recommended the following wet-weather driving tips.
Drivers should reduce their speed significantly when roads are wet, because posted speed limits are designed for dry conditions, and leave extra space between their vehicle and the one ahead, since stopping distances increase on wet pavement.
Before heavy rain begins, drivers should make sure their tires have adequate tread and are properly inflated, replace worn windshield wipers and check that all vehicle lights work. California law requires drivers to turn on their headlights whenever windshield wipers are in continuous use.
The highway patrol also advised drivers to accelerate and brake gently, because abrupt steering or hard braking can cause a vehicle to hydroplane. A driver whose vehicle begins to hydroplane should ease off the accelerator and steer in the direction the driver wants the vehicle to go.
Drivers should never try to drive through flooded roadways, the highway patrol said. It takes only a few inches of flowing water to sweep a vehicle away. The agency’s advice: “Turn Around, Don’t Drown.”
Motorists are encouraged to monitor weather alerts and follow local highway patrol accounts on X for real-time traffic updates and road closure information. The Coastal Division patrols 325 miles of roadway from Santa Cruz County to Ventura County.
For more information, visit www.chp.ca.gov.
