Flood problems grow as new storm moves into California

By HAVEN DALEY and JOHN ANTCZAK
Associated Press

WATSONVILLE, Calif. (AP) — Crews rushed to repair a levee break on a storm-swollen river in California’s central coast as yet another atmospheric river arrived with the potential to further inundate the state’s swamped farmland and agricultural communities. Officials say the length of the levee rupture on the Pajaro River grew to 400 feet Monday, complicating efforts to plug the breach. More than 8,500 people were evacuated when the levee failed late Friday. It flooded farmland and agricultural communities on the central coast, about 70 miles south of San Francisco. Monterey County officials also warn that the Salinas River could cause significant flooding of roadways and agricultural land, cutting off the Monterey Peninsula.