March 10, 2023 / By mobanmarket
PETALUMA, CA — Petaluma residents were urged to be prepared as an atmospheric river storm began bearing down Thursday on the North Bay and the Bay Area, and is expected to last into Friday, bringing floods and thunderstorm hazards.
A flood watch was implemented for the entire region from Thursday afternoon until Sunday morning. A wind advisory was expected to remain in effect until Friday afternoon.
Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency to support storm response in 21 counties, including Napa. Sonoma County was among 13 counties last week where a state of emergency was already declared.
“Widespread wetting rains are expected over the district through Friday as a potent atmospheric river moves over California,” the weather service said. “The moderate to heavy rain will bring increased flooding concerns and landslide potential. In addition to the rain, gusty southerly winds will persist through Friday. Winds will be strongest near the coast and higher terrain.”
Over 2 Inches of Rain Reported In Sonoma County
Most cities in the Bay Area observed at least a tenth of an inch of rain in the past 24 hours, as of 4 p.m. Thursday. The North Bay has seen the most rainfall, with many cities observing more than half an inch of rain.
By 6 p.m. Thursday, the National Weather Service reported 12-hour rainfall totals of more than 2 inches for several parts of Sonoma County, including Graton, Occidental, Cazadero, Sebastopol, Monte Rio, Bodega Bay and Austin Creek/Russian River.
Rohnert Park received 1.90 inches of rain by 6 p.m., Healdsburg received 1.37 inches and Petaluma received 1.10 inches.
Roadway Flooding Reported In Sonoma County
As of 5 p.m. Thursday in Sonoma County, the California Highway Patrol reported a rockslide with mud, dirt and rock on westbound River Road just east of state Highway 116; flooding on westbound Occidental Road east of SR-116 and on Hall Road west of Fulton Road in Santa Rosa; a tree blocking northbound Dry Creek Road south of Lytton Springs; and a mudslide with trees attached on Green Hill Road at Graton Road.
There were also reports of roadway flooding on SR-116 at Bloomfield Road; Meacham Road at Pepper Road; Rohnert Park Expressway at Stony Point Road; and Hales Apple Farm on SR-116.
A tree was down blocking Sullivan Road at Graton Road; mud, dirt and rock was reported on westbound SR-116 at Martinelli Road; and roadway flooding was reported at Olivet Road and Piner Road and on Eastside Road at Trenton-Healdsburg Road.
Russian River Flood Outlook
Most cities in the Bay Area observed at least a tenth of an inch of rain in the past 24 hours, as of 4 p.m. Thursday. The North Bay has seen the most rainfall, with many cities observing more than half an inch of rain.
According to the National Weather Service, rainfall and snowmelt will lead to rapid rises of area rivers, streams, and creeks. Rivers with the most significant flooding potential are Napa, Russian, Salinas, Pajaro and Carmel.
In Sonoma County, the Russian River was forecast to reach the “monitor stage” of 29 feet Friday afternoon at Johnson’s Beach near Guerneville. The river’s flood stage is 32 feet. The current forecast indicates the river will crest at 30.9 feet Friday night at Johnson’s Beach near Guerneville. Thursday afternoon, the river was at 12.6 feet.
Flooding is not currently expected on the Russian River in Healdsburg. The river is expected to reach 16.7 feet Friday morning, whereas the monitor stage for the Russian River in Healdsburg is 20 feet and the flood stage is 23 feet.
The Napa River near Napa was forecast to reach “monitor stage” of 22 feet Friday morning. The river’s flood stage is 25 feet. The current forecast Thursday afternoon indicated the river would crest at 22.1 feet Friday afternoon, according to the California Nevada River Forecast Center.
In preparation for possible flooding, the city of Napa on Thursday closed the Oxbow flood gates along the Napa River at McKinstry street.
“Flooding is an extremely serious concern associated with this AR,” the weather service said. “The ground is already saturated and streams/rivers are already swollen. When additional heavy rainfall falls on an already saturated ground the only thing it can do is run off. Streams/rivers will be quicker to flood due to their current capacity.”
The City of Petaluma issued a storm statement Thursday:
Heavy rains and winds are expected starting today and will last through the weekend, with a flood watch in place through Sunday.
While we’re not expecting the same storm intensity we experienced in January, the City will be providing sandbags at both Prince Park and Hopper Street (and as always, bring your own shovel).
Public works, Fire, and Police staff will be patrolling the city to respond to road closures, blocked storm drains, and storm-related issues. Please stay off the roads if at all possible – it’s a great time to stay home and cozy up with some soup and your favorite book or show. If you have to run an errand, please drive slowly if you see public safety personnel performing traffic control or clearing storm debris.
Stay safe and dry, Petaluma!
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