Heavy Rain, Flooded Roads

Following a day of heavy rainfall, California Highway 32 faced closure due to flooding from the Sacramento River around noon on Wednesday, Feb. 5.

At the intersection of Sacramento Avenue in Hamilton City and SR-32, workers from the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) placed a roadblock to deter any eastbound traffic. On-site workers are providing hand signals, sending drivers back and advising motorists to take alternate routes, along with a California Highway Patrol cruiser announcing the closure over the PA system.

Information from the Caltrans QuickMap reports the closure extends to Meridian Road, Chico. There is currently no estimated time for reopening, as on-scene, one of the Caltrans workers explained that the floodwaters “had risen above the roadway…” and “expect [Highway 32] to be closed for at least another day.”

This afternoon, administrators of Butte College sent out an email notice to effectively cancel all in-person classes at the Glenn Center for the remainder of today and tomorrow, Feb. 6. If the weather permits, they will be reopened the following Monday, Feb 10. All other campuses will continue with no interruptions, as usual.

Speaking with a Butte College student, she recalled that all the backroads were closed by the time she’d returned from Main Campus, which forced her to drive through Corning, taking upwards of an hour just to get back home. The unfortunate closure of California Highway 32 prevents direct access to Chico and any surrounding communities.

As of today, Wednesday, Feb. 5, the flooded California Highway 32 will remain closed until further notice. Please visit the National Weather Service for additional information regarding flood safety and make sure to stay updated on the road conditions.

EDITOR’S NOTE:

As of Thursday, Feb. 6, Highway 32 has been reopened at 7:30 a.m. by Caltrans.