City of Murrieta Announces Storm Preparations and Potential Road Closures Ahead of Heavy Rainfall

City of Murrieta Announces Storm Preparations and Potential Road Closures Ahead of Heavy Rainfall

Murrieta, CA - With a significant rain event forecast to impact Southern California this week, the City of Murrieta and Murrieta Fire & Rescue are taking proactive measures to ensure public safety and mitigate potential flooding. Heavy rainfall is expected to begin on Tuesday afternoon and continue through the holiday week.

The Municipal Services Department's street crews (MSD) are currently operating at full capacity to prepare the city's infrastructure in anticipation of the upcoming rainstorm. Crews are focused on:

• Inspections of storm drains, inlets, and channels to remove debris and maximize water flow.
• "Caution" and "Flooded" signs are being staged in areas historically susceptible to flooding, including MHS Road, Kalmia Street, and locations along Murrieta Creek.
• Crews are working to patch potholes and secure road surfaces ahead of the heavy rain saturation.

Due to predicted rainfall amounts and the likelihood of Murrieta Creek rising, residents should plan for the following street closures:

• Kalmia Street (from 2nd Street to Hayes Ave).
• Briggs Road (from Los Alamos to Porth Rd).

To assist residents in protecting their property, sand and sandbags have been staged at the following locations:

• Fire Station 1: 41825 Juniper Street
• Fire Station 2: 40060 California Oaks Road
• Municipal Services Department Yard: Located at Fig Street & Jefferson Avenue

Residents needing sandbags are encouraged to bring their own shovels.

Murrieta Fire & Rescue urges all residents to follow these critical safety guidelines:

• Turn Around, Don't Drown: Never drive through flooded roadways. It only takes 12 inches of rushing water to carry away most cars.
• Lights On, Wipers On: It is California law to have your headlights on if your windshield wipers are in continuous use.
• Reduce Speed: Wet roads significantly increase braking distance. Slow down and allow extra space between vehicles.
• Stay Informed: Monitor local weather reports and city social media channels for real-time updates on road conditions.

Weather events, much like wildfires, can develop and shift rapidly. The City of Murrieta urges residents to monitor official Fire, Police, and City social media channels for the most current information. To ensure you receive immediate notifications, we recommend registering for and downloading the following emergency service apps:

• Genasys Protect: This is the primary tool for location-based evacuation and safety alerts. Know Your Zone: All Murrieta evacuation zones begin with the MUR identifier. Look up your specific zone at protect.genasys.com.
• Alert RivCo: Register your mobile number to receive critical safety information specific to Riverside County at RivCoReady.org/Alert-RivCo.
• Watch Duty: While primarily used for wildfire tracking, this app provides valuable real-time situational awareness for regional emergencies. watchduty.org.
• Murrieta Notify Me: Sign up for direct city alerts and news updates at MurrietaCA.gov/NotifyMe.

# # #