Friday January 6, 2023
FOX 40 —
Flooding from a New Year’s Eve storm impacted roadways and caused evacuations in certain areas in Sacramento County.
One of the flooded roadways was a stretch of Highway 99 between Elk Grove and Galt on Jan. 1. Sacramento County officials told FOX40 News that three levees on the Cosumnes River were breached.
The Rio Cosumnes Correction Center also had a threat of a flood, causing the evacuation of 1,075 inmates, after weather conditions worsened and road conditions eroded nearby.
Compared to the Sacramento and American rivers, the Cosumnes River is different due to it not having a major dam.
According to the Water Education Foundation, the Cosumnes River is the only one west of the Sierra Nevada without major dams. Due to no dams attached, the river endures seasonal overbank flooding, the Water Foundation said.