‘Looked like a lagoon’: Menlo Park residents wake up to flooded streets
Menlo Park flooding: Cars partially submerged as firefighters wade through water
Streets in Menlo Park were flooded early Wednesday morning, prompting police and fire crews to go door to door warning residents to shelter in place.
MENLO PARK, Calif. - Streets in Menlo Park were flooded early Wednesday morning, prompting police and fire crews to go door to door warning residents to shelter in place and prepare for possible evacuations in a neighborhood near the Meta campus.
Robocalls alerting residents to flooding near Willow Road and Highway 84 began around 4:20 a.m.
Flooded streets and road closures
What we know:
Officials noted flooding in the 1300 block of Hamilton Avenue between Willow Road and Henderson Avenue, as well as the 1300 block of Carlton Avenue.
Menlo Park police closed Hamilton Avenue between Willow Road and Henderson Avenue because of flooding.
Some residents said they woke up to more than a foot of water in front of their homes. Cars parked along the street in these areas were partially submerged by rising water.
Live updates: Tracking the Bay Area Christmas storm
Rain fell in the Bay Area early Wednesday morning, causing trees to fall up north and streets to flood in Menlo Park, and half an inch of rain to fall in Los Gatos.
"I was just in awe because it looked like a lagoon up here, out of nowhere," said resident Uriel Magaña.
Fire officials said crews knocked on the doors of about 20 homes near the flooding to warn residents to shelter in place.
"‘All right, you guys have to shelter in place. We may have to evacuate you, but you can’t leave. If an emergency happens, call 911, and we’ll send a boat to you,’" resident Sydney Butler-Terry recalled being told.
Firefighters were seen walking through flooded streets, where water reached their knees.
Driver stranded
Emergency crews were stationed outside nearby shops and controlled traffic in the area. One driver became stranded in his vehicle but was able to walk out safely.
The city’s public works department later brought in pumps to remove the water.
"This is the worst I’ve ever seen it," said Luis Ibarra, who has lived in the neighborhood for 25 years. Other residents echoed that sentiment.
Ibarra and others said they did not receive police alerts because they live several blocks from the actual flooding.
Fire officials said a drainage backup caused the flooding.
By 11:45 a.m., much of the roadway in Menlo Park had been cleared.
More rain ahead
What's next:
The Bay Area remains under flood watches as multiple rounds of rain move through the region during the Christmas holiday.
Forecasters warned that saturated ground, runoff from creeks and storm drains, and bursts of heavy rain could lead to localized flooding, especially in low-lying neighborhoods. Additional rain and strong winds are expected through midweek.
"I just hope the city allocates their resources properly so that this can be resolved," Magaña said.
Atmospheric river brings heavy rain, thunderstorm risk through Christmas
Powerful winds and heavy rainfall are forecast to begin at 8 p.m. and increase overnight with the possibility of thunderstorms.
The Source: Information for this story comes from Menlo Park Police, and on-the-ground reporting.