Storms cause construction delays

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Recent storms have impacted some industries more severely than others. The rain has caused delays in construction.

Workers couldn't pour concrete or do much of anything else on muddy construction sites. Unless you have a roof overhead the work is very limited. Standing water is never a good thing on a construction site. But work on new homes in the valley has come to halt due to the rain. Mike Prandini is the CEO of the valley's Building Industry Association. Prandini said, "Once you've got it graded you don't need a lot of rain because that washes out some of the grading that you've done."

Prandini explained the wet weather impact depended on what stage the project is in. If the roof's not done crews must wait much longer until the wooden frame thoroughly dries before they can begin any interior work. Prandini said, "You don't want wet timbers inside the house because they warp."

Work continued on the Jordan Agricultural Research Center at Fresno State.

Much of the building though was already enclosed so the progress indoors was not delayed. Facilities Management vice-president Bob Boyd said, "That building's under construction to be completed in early spring. They're inside. The glass is up so they're able to work and still put in the cabinets and flooring and doing painting and that type of stuff."

Outside though, the site needed to dry out a bit before crews can resume their work.

Many in the construction industry worried El Nino conditions may cause significant delays for many projects.