Atmospheric river: Stormy week begins with widespread flooding, closures, evacuations
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Monday saw a continuation of the atmospheric river storms hammering the Bay Area and Northern California, causing widespread flooding, mudslides and damage from gusty winds. The National Weather Service reiterated that residents should stay current with forecast updates "as there is a direct threat to life and property from these storms."
There were evacuations and water rescues underway Monday in Santa Cruz and Monterey counties as well as in Solano County. Flooding reached the tops of vehicles in Gilroy and closed a portion of U.S. Highway 101 for hours.
Check evacuation maps in your area
Of particular concern, the National Weather Service said, was flooding at the Russian River at Johnson's Beach near Guerneville, Alameda Creek near Niles Canyon, Coyote Creek above Hwy 237 at Milpitas, the Big Sur River, Carmel River at Robles Del Rio, the San Lorenzo River at Big Trees and the Guadalupe River above Almaden Expressway.
Overnight rain Monday was expected to continue throughout the day, diminishing north to south through the afternoon. Showers with a chance of thunderstorms were forecast for Tuesday along with a window for intense thunderstorms during the early morning hours Tuesday.
KPIX 5 First Alert Weather: Current Conditions, Forecasts, Alerts For Your Area
Next system could deliver thunderstorms, heavy downpours and 60 mph gusts
As the Bay Area tries to recover from the latest round of heavy rain, the threat of thunderstorms moves into the region late Monday night into early Tuesday.
More precipitation is the last thing the Bay Area needs, but the intense rainfall associated with thunderstorms is exactly what's in the forecast. On top of the rain that fell in the region over the last 24 hours – an inch of rain in San Jose, almost an inch and a half in San Francisco and exactly that amount in Fremont, more than two inches in Dublin and over four and a half inches of rain in Ben Lomond.
The wet weather pattern continues with a line of thunderstorms that is racing towards the region. Futurecast shows clouds with the band of heavy rain approaching the coast by about 2 a.m. Tuesday morning. This is when we're most likely to see flashes of lightning and hear rumbles of thunder. There is even the outside chance that a couple of the cells within the line are going to become briefly severe, which is not something that happens over the Bay Area very often. The stronger thunderstorms could produce damaging wind gusts in excess of 60 miles an hour.
Update: Flooded lanes of Highway 101 reopen in Gilroy; nearby homes submerged
GILROY -- Flooding from the latest atmospheric river storm has impacted southern Santa Clara County on Monday, leading to submerged homes and the closure of a stretch of Highway 101 for hours.
Shortly before noon, the Gilroy Police Department announced the southbound direction is closed at Mesa Road, just south of Monterey Highway. Nearby, Bolsa Road is also flooded between Travel Park Circle and Carnadero Avenue. Around 1:50 p.m., officials announced both directions of the highway were closed
Residents along Russian River keep wary eye on rising levels
The latest forecast for the Russian River is far more favorable than previous estimates of the river's ultimate crest. After a lot of uncertainty, the overnight storm gave way to an absolutely beautiful day on the river Monday and a clearer picture of what the water might be doing.
"Yeah, this is where it starts," said Roger Hicks."There's no damage here. Probably, most people don't have much damage. It's just more of a nuisance than anything. But it's actually kind of neat. It's very peaceful."
From the very edge of the river in Monte Rio, Hicks has been watching the water and the forecast for the water. After days of some often dire predictions, it now looks like this property will escape unharmed.
Flooding strikes Solano; 275-year-old oak tree falls in Napa County
In Solano County, people weathered Monday morning's storm amid threats of flooding. But it was in Napa County that one local winery lost a beloved icon.
The rain ended before 10 a.m. in Solano County, but the water kept coming. In Fairfield it turned a creek running under Beck Avenue into a roaring river of what looked like chocolate milk.
Alfredo Perez had a hard time imagining how much water was actually rushing past him.
Photos: Overnight atmospheric river triggers widespread flooding across South Bay
Bay Area residents were dealing with flooding and mudslides across Santa Clara and Santa Cruz counties after the latest storm powered over Northern California.
Caught on video: Rockslide on Highway 168 near Fresno
Evacuation warning issued in Salinas
The Monterey County Sheriff's Office has issued an evacuation warning for low-lying areas of the Salinas River effective immediately, the office said at 8 p.m. on Monday.
If you are in an evacuation zone, prepare to leave, the Sheriff said. People should also check with their neighbors to make sure they are aware of the warning, as well.
For animal shelter, call the SPCA at (831) 373-2631 or the after hours line at (831) 646-5534.
To see a live evacuation map go to https://bit.ly/3Za0Xc0.
There already were evacuation warnings that were issued Sunday evening for the low-lying areas of the Carmel River, San Lorenzo Creek, the areas around the Pajaro River, the area of Big Sur, the area of Arroyo Secco, and the areas of Bolsa Knolls.
Ongoing storms leave many California state parks closed
With the ongoing storms still gripping California, many state parks remain temporarily closed, officials said Monday.
The California State Parks Twitter account posted the reminder Monday afternoon.
"To protect the safety of the public and employees, the following state park units will be temporarily closed until further notice," a statement on the California State Parks website said.
A full list of the parks currently closed is available online.
Weather Service rain totals over last 24 hours
Here's a map showing the most rain over the past day fell over the Santa Cruz and Santa Lucia Mountains with a few sites getting nearly 10 inches of rain.
The National Weather Service reports 3.76 inches of rain in Cupertino over the past 24 hours. The forecast shows another round of dangerous winds tonight through tomorrow afternoon, with more rain throughout the week.
Sierra blanketed with heavy, wet snow; Winter storm, avalanche warnings
TRUCKEE -- Heavy snow, strong winds, and a mixture of heavy wet snow and lower elevation flooding were expected in the Sierra Monday, impacting travel through the region.
The National Weather Service said a Winter Storm Warning was in effect for the greater Lake Tahoe area until 4 a.m. Wednesday with snow accumulations of 1 to 2 feet, and accumulations of 2 to 5 feet above 7,000 feet. Wind gusts were expected up to 50 mph and gusts in excess of 130 mph at times on exposed ridges.
Flooding closes roads in Martinez
MARTINEZ (CBS SF/BCN) -- Flooding closed Highland Road in southeastern Contra Costa County late Monday morning, between Carneal Road and Manning Road. Only local traffic is being allowed in.
County public works official say the best detour is Carneal Road to Manning Road in the eastbound direction. Then take Manning to Carneal in the westbound direction.
Near Martinez, the intersection of Arthur Road and Pacheco Boulevard is closed to all traffic due to flooding. Officials say to please avoid the area.
And Morgan Territory Road is closed between addresses 5477 to 5649, due to mudslides. Only residents are allowed in the area.
Video: Massive landslide shuts down southbound Highway 17
SANTA CRUZ -- A potent atmospheric river roared into Santa Cruz County Monday morning, triggering landslides in the mountains and evacuations due to rising rivers and creeks.
Southbound traffic on Hwy 17, the major transit hub through the coastal mountains, was shut down after tons of debris slammed into the roadway.
Caltrans has not issued an ETA as to when the slide would be cleaned up and the lanes reopened. Another wintry blast was forecast for late Monday and early Tuesday.
Another massive slide had crashed down on SR-9 and Holiday Lane blocking the roadway. There was no ETA as to when the roadway would reopen.
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Evacuation order issued for low-lying areas of Carmel River in Monterey Co.
MONTEREY COUNTY – An evacuation order has been issued for the Carmel River area in Monterey County on Monday morning, according to county emergency officials.
People living in low-lying areas of the river must evacuate immediately and stay away until further notice because of the pending winter storm, according to an advisory sent at 10:45 a.m by the Monterey County Office of Emergency Services.
North Bay: Flooding shuts down portion of Highway 37
Westbound State Road 37 was closed between Atherton Avenue and U.S. Highway 101 in Marin County because of flooding, the California Highway Patrol said Monday.
Drivers will need to use Atherton Avenue to get to Highway 101. As of 10:05 a.m. Monday, there was no estimated time of opening. Drivers were told to expect delays.
Video: San Lorenzo River flows into Felton neighborhood; Water rescues underway
FELTON -- The rain-swollen San Lorenzo River surged into a neighborhood in the Santa Cruz Mountain community of Felton Monday morning, triggering water rescues by local firefighters.
Officials said the river crested at 24.52 feet at 7:45 a.m. near the Felton Grove neighborhood, trapping several residents who ignored the pre-dawn evacuation order delivered over loudspeakers by sheriff's deputies.
Authorities deployed jet skis and a water rescue unit from Ben Lomond as the water quickly rose to chest level.
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Mudslide shuts down SR-9
SANTA CRUZ (CBS SF) -- The California Highway Patrol tweeted on Monday morning that a mudslide shut down SR-9 and Holiday lane near Santa Cruz. They recommend that drivers avoid the area.
Atmospheric river: Biden approves Newsom's request for federal disaster aid
SAN FRANCISCO -- As another damaging atmospheric river rolled through the San Francisco Bay Area, President Joe Biden approved Gov. Gavin Newsom's request for federal disaster aid.
Biden authorized the Department of Homeland Security and Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate all disaster relief efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the series of severe storms.
The counties covered by the emergency declaration include El Dorado, Los Angeles, Mariposa, Mendocino, Merced, Monterey, Napa, Placer, Riverside, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Sonoma, Stanislaus, and Ventura.
Newsom said at least 12 people have lost their lives as a result of violent weather during the past 10 days.
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Overnight atmospheric river blast pushes swollen rivers to the brink
GUERNEVILLE -- The latest atmospheric river roared into the San Francisco Bay Area early Monday, triggering evacuation warnings and elevating the threat of flooding across the region.
Of particular concern, the National Weather Service said, was flooding at the Russian River at Johnson's Beach near Guerneville, Alameda Creek near Niles Canyon, Coyote Creek above Hwy 237 at Milpitas, the Big Sur River, Carmel River at Robles Del Rio, the San Lorenzo River at Big Trees and the Guadalupe River above Almaden Expressway.
The weather service had issued a flood watch for the entire Bay Area into Tuesday. Over the span, forecasters said the valleys will be getting 2-5 inches of rain, the Bay Area hills 4-7 inches, and 6-12 inches in the mountains.
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Sonoma County public school closures
The Sonoma County Office of Education announced Sunday that five of its 40 school districts will be closed Monday in anticipation of the next major storm, which will likely hit Sunday night.
- Fort Ross Elementary School District (also plans to close Tuesday)
- Guerneville School District
- Horicon School District (also plans to close Tuesday)
- Kashia School District (also plans to close Tuesday)
- Montgomery Elementary (also plans to close Tuesday)
Check latest list of closures at this link.
Watsonville evacuation warning issued
The city of Watsonville has issued an evacuation order Sunday night for several areas likely to flood.
South Bay evacuation warnings issued
Santa Clara officials issued evacuation warnings Saturday evening to residents in the watershed areas of the Uvas Reservoir and Pacheco Pass River Basin due to weather conditions and risks to the general public and property.
The evacuation warning impacts Pacheco Pass River Basin for those living in the following areas
- El Torro Rd. South of Hwy. 152 to Bloomfield Ave.
- Lovers Lane between Shore Rd. and Hwy. 152
Watershed Areas of Uvas Reservoir include those living
- South of Uvas Reservoir including Thousand Trails RV Park and Uvas Pines RV Park
- South of Sycamore Drive and Watsonville Rd.
- South of Lions Peak
- South of Day Road and Geri Lane
- Watsonville and Hwy. 152
More info at: www.PrepareSCC.org/Flood
Alameda County evacuations advised
Alameda County officials recommend residents who live on Kilkare, Palomares and Niles Canyon leave in advance of the incoming storm.
Gov. Newsom: stay home if you can
Gov Newsom's office tweeted: "California is expecting a stronger and more widespread atmospheric river that will bring strong winds, heavy rain, and thunderstorms. This is serious – stay safe, make the necessary preparations and limit non-essential travel."