Planada Flood Advisory October 22 Evening: NWS Warns of Water on Roads Through 8:30 p.m.

PLANADA, MERCED COUNTY — Thursday, October 22, 2026, evening update. The National Weather Service in Hanford issued a Flood Advisory at 5:28 p.m. PDT for northeastern Merced County, explicitly naming Planada and Merced. The advisory was scheduled to last until 8:30 p.m. PDT.

What was confirmed by the National Weather Service?

NWS forecasters said Doppler radar showed heavy rainfall from thunderstorms. The bulletin reported 1 to 1.5 inches of rain during the preceding hour and forecast up to another half inch in the affected region. Minor flooding was ongoing or expected soon, with water over roadways and water accumulating in low-lying or poorly drained areas.

Those figures cover the weather advisory area; they are not a verified rainfall measurement at every street or property in Planada. No specific highway closure was confirmed by the text of this advisory.

What should Planada and Merced residents do tonight?

Do not enter a flooded intersection or low-water crossing by car or on foot. If a road is blocked, obey the posted closure and choose another route rather than attempt to judge the depth from a vehicle. Storm drains can be overwhelmed by fast rainfall even when a street appeared clear earlier in the evening.

Drivers moving between Planada, Merced and nearby rural roads should confirm state highway conditions with Caltrans and consult local county road agencies for routes under county jurisdiction. A Flood Advisory signals a flood hazard, but it is not the same severity designation as a Flash Flood Warning.

Timing and next update

The October 22 product lists 8:30 p.m. as its scheduled expiration. This time is not a guarantee that standing water vanishes at 8:30; closures can remain until authorities reopen roads. Follow newer NWS updates if issued.

Primary sources: National Weather Service Hanford flash-flood and flood-advisory statements; NWS California Flood Watch; Caltrans QuickMap for confirmed state-road restrictions.

Reporting note: NWS alerts may expire or change. Rainfall estimates are those provided by the issuing forecasters, not on-the-ground measurements by California58. Never attempt to drive across a flooded roadway. California58 does not claim an unverified local road closure or that an entire town is flooded.

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