Benton gets wet

Hwy 120 east, homes damaged by flooding and mud

On Sunday, Sept. 1, residents and visitors of Benton experienced a deluge of rain that left the area damaged by mud and flash flooding.

According to District 2 Mono County Supervisor Fred Stump, a thunder cell settled just west of Benton and rained heavily on the area for hours Sunday evening. This resulted in flash floods that affected the old Benton area as well as the reservation.

The weather also degraded Hwy 120 east, according to Stump and Caltrans spokeswoman Florene Trainor.

The damage was to the switchback section of the road, just past the hill after you turn right onto Hwy 120 as you head toward Benton from Mammoth.

“The road is washed out and in places where the pavement is still in place, the earth beneath it has been washed out, leaving the road vulnerable to collapse,” Stump, who toured the area earlier in the week, said. At press time, that portion of the road was still closed and a detour was being worked out.

The flash flooding and mud also affected the home of the Bramlettes, who own and operate the Historic Benton Hot Springs.

“They had three to four inches of water in their house, as well as a layer of mud,” Stump said.

As for the Hot Springs, Stump said the campground was affected by debris, but the bed and breakfast was not flooded.

“They were fully occupied Sunday night, so those people got to experience the excitement of it all,” Stump said.

In addition, two homes on the reservation were flooded and Yellow Jacket Road had mud on it.

Photo: Caltrans