County officials urge caution and preparedness for new storm expected Saturday.

The storm that blew in Wednesday and Thursday packed less of a punch than expected but right on its heels is a new storm that could make up for it. The next storm is expected to hit Saturday evening, prompting a flood watch Saturday afternoon through Monday morning, according to the National Weather Service.

Along the coast on the Monterey Peninsula there could be 2-3 inches of rain, with up to 3 inches in the Salinas area, 2-3 inches in South County and 4-6 inches in most areas Big Sur.

A high wind warning is in effect from 10pm, Saturday to 10pm, Sunday, with southwesterly winds of 20-30 miles per hour and gusts of up to 60mph or higher. 

People are being warned to be cautious in forested areas where branches, trees and power lines could fall. 

Residents in the Bolsa Knolls area of Salinas are advised to use sand bags to protect their homes, if they experienced flooding in the past, according to officials in a County of Monterey press conference on Friday, Feb. 2.

The Pajaro River could reach the flood monitor stage, possibly reaching just over 22 feet, Mark Strudley, executive director of the Pajaro Regional Flood Management Agency, said during the press conference. He said the river may touch the base of the levee in some places but was not expected to cause damage. He was "not over concerned" about the safety of Pajaro Valley residents, unless weather conditions worsened.

Strudley also said they did not expect the river's rise to interfere with current levee repair under Highway 1 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Those repairs are for damage that occurred during last year's floods.

Residents of the entire county were encouraged to be alert, stay off any roads marked as closed, and to sign up for alerts at alertmontereycounty.org. 

A new online information resource was announced: readymontereycounty.org. The website links to emergency information as well as resources for recovery after disaster events. 

Randell Ishi, County of Monterey director of public works, facilities and parks, encouraged people to call if they see anything in unincorporated county areas, such as mudslides, downed trees or flooding. The number is 831-755-4925.