Chualar Residents Urged to Check Winter Flood Plans as County Prepares November 9 Town Hall

CHUALAR, Calif. — Monterey County has identified Chualar as a location for a community meeting on winter storm readiness and the possibility of Salinas River flooding. The meeting is planned for Monday, November 9, 2026, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., according to the county’s fall preparedness schedule reported in the Salinas Valley Tribune.

The venue had not been finalized in the published announcement. Residents should not travel to a guessed location; confirm details with the County of Monterey before setting out.

Why Chualar needs a flood plan

Communities along the Salinas River may face flooded roads, interrupted access and agricultural-area impacts when heavy rainfall coincides with high river levels. The county declared a local emergency on October 13 to support preparation for possible strong winter storms, approving approximately $669,000 for readiness work, flood-warning equipment and Carmel River Lagoon management.

The county’s plans include restoring portions of the ALERT flood monitoring network, improving drainage and using updated flood maps to anticipate areas at risk. County officials have emphasized that an El Niño climate pattern can increase the likelihood of a wet winter, but does not establish when or whether a specific flood will happen.

Actions residents can take before the storms

Review your household’s evacuation routes and identify a backup route if local roads flood.
Sign up for official Monterey County emergency alerts and keep mobile contacts current.
Check county information for sandbag availability, flood-prone roads and emergency resources.
Keep medications, documents, flashlights, pet supplies and other essentials together.
Do not drive or walk through floodwater; avoid roadways where water depth or pavement condition is unknown.

Where to get official updates

The county has launched a Storm Preparedness Hub and an online storm resources center available through the shorthand coMRY.us/stormresources. Check those official channels for the finalized Chualar town-hall location and current advisories.

During an active storm, rely on emergency management agencies for evacuation instructions rather than an article published days earlier.

Illustrative photograph: Kiwihug / Unsplash. The image is not of flooding in Chualar.

Sources: Salinas Valley Tribune, October 21, 2026; County of Monterey storm resources.

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