County Officials Opening Pajaro River into Monterey Bay - Central Coast News KION/KCBA

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, Calif. -- According to the Director of Flooding Control for Santa Cruz County, officials will begin to open up the Pajaro River to let flooding waters into the Monterey Bay within the next hour.

Santa Cruz County is trying to avoid a repeat of last year's winter flooding with the rain hitting the Central Coast.

Crews will be opening the river near Palm Beach towards the end of Beach Road.

Heavy equipment has already been put in place this week, in the event of water levels breaching the already in place sandbar.

Homeowners in the area of the Pajaro Dunes voiced concern, earlier in the week, that flooding could occur like last year, which caused several hundred thousand dollars in property damage.

Central Coast News has a crew in route to the scene and will bring you the latest updates on this story right here at www.kionrightnow.com