On Friday, March 10, the floor of the Salinas Valley received nearly three inches of rain, while as much as six inches fell in the mountains on both sides of the valley. Additional rains were forecast in the Salinas Valley on March 13 and 14.

Markon Cooperative has taken to the fields for a first-hand look at the significant widespread flooding in California’s Salinas Valley.

The Pajaro River levee, located in the Watsonville/Pajaro Valley, failed last Saturday, March 11, substantially flooding the northern side of the valley; the three main crops affected are iceberg, romaine and strawberries.

The Salinas River breached its levee in several areas of the Salinas Valley on Sunday, March 12.

Previously planted crops projected for harvest from mid-April to mid-May could experience significant yield losses and plantings that were scheduled from late last week through this week must be postponed due to the over-saturated conditions.

Monterey County records show the Salinas Valley has roughly 450,000 acres for planting vegetables and accounts for roughly 80 percent of the nation’s vegetable production from April to early July. Delayed plantings and crops lost to flooding will ultimately lead to product shortages and high prices in the spring and into the summer months.

Source - https://www.freshplaza.com