Rains close several roads

IMPERIAL COUNTY — The heavy rains that fell on Wednesday and Thursday in Imperial County over 24 hours resulted in 13 roads being closed.

Some of those roads have since reopened.

About 3 p.m. Thursday, the National Weather Service issued a flash flood watch, warning the public to avoid flooded areas. That warning was set to expire at 6: 45 p. m.

National Weather Service Meteorologist James Sawtelle reported that El Centro over the 24 hours ending at 5 p.m. Thursday had received 0.98 inch of rain, while 0.77 inch fell in Imperial.

Other portions of the county received much more rain. Locations near the Salton Sea, for instance, have received 1.32 to 1.63 inches of rain in the last two days.

From 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, El Centro received 0.28 inch of rain, while 0.31 inch of rain dropped in Imperial, Sawtelle said.

The roads the county closed due to the rain include Ogilby from Interstate 8 to California Highway 78 and Bailey from Orchard to Mets Road.

The roads that were closed because they were flooded include Norrish from Highline to Whitlock Road and Butters from Rutherford to Shank Road.

A sinkhole resulted in Worthington Road from Casey to Meloland Road being closed, as well.

Roads reopened as of Thursday afternoon were Dunaway to Huff Road on the west end, Bonds Corner from Bridenstein to Snyder Road, McCabe from Yourman to Bowker Road and Cole Road from Dogwood to Kloke Road.

Other roads that closed because of the rain included Ted Kipft from CA-78 to Ogilby, Dietrich from CA-78 to Mead, Bowles from Sperry to English, Larsen from Austin to Forrester, and Forrester from Evan Hewes Highway to Aten Road.