California was slammed by yet another atmospheric river on Sunday night, bringing heavy rains and damaging winds to areas that have already seen heavy precipitation over the past weeks.
In the face of yet more fierce storms predicted for this week that could lead to more flooding, landslides and power failures, Gov. Gavin Newsom asked President Biden to declare an emergency to help with California’s storm response. The combination of runoff from the New Year’s Eve storm and Wednesday’s bomb cyclone has saturated soils across the region, as burn scars in the Santa Cruz Mountains, North Bay highlands and coastal region south of Big Sur struggle to absorb the excess moisture.
The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch lasting through Tuesday that covers the entire Bay Area, Sacramento Valley and Monterey Bay to account for the upcoming storms. A high wind warning was issued for the Bay Area and Central Coast, from Cloverdale in northern Sonoma County to the southern Monterey County border, until 4 p.m. Monday. The entire Bay Area and Central Coast are at moderate risk of excessive rainfall Monday, the weather service said.
Latest updates:
Bay Area highways blocked due to flooding, landslides | 11:35 a.m.
Here’s a list of road closures due to weather in the Bay Area as of 11 a.m., according to the California Highway Patrol and 511 SF Bay:
Alameda County
State Route 84 between Niles Canyon Road and Pleasanton Sunol Road in Fremont; all lanes are blocked in both directions due to flooding and a landslide.
Marin County
Westbound State Route 37 between Atherton Avenue and Highway 101 in Novato; all lanes are blocked due to flooding.
Napa County
Highway 121 between Creek Bridge and State Route 12 in Napa; all lanes are blocked in both directions due to flooding
Santa Cruz County
Northbound and southbound State Route 17 at Glenwood Drive in Los Gatos; northbound right lane is open; northbound left lane is blocked due to a landslide; all lanes are blocked on the southbound side.
Sierra mountains predicted to get up to 3 feet of snow
The winter storm is expected to drop 1 to 3 feet of snow over the Sierra mountains Monday night into Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service. Just before 9 a.m. Monday, the UC Berkeley Central Sierra Snow Lab, located at Donner Pass, reported 12.6 inches of “rain-soaked new snow.”
Evacuation orders for Pajaro River area of Monterey County
“If you are in an Evacuation Order Zone quickly and calmly evacuate,” the agency said. The order applies to the following regions:
- South of Riverside Road; North of San Juan Road; East of Reiter Berry Farms; West of Murphy Crossing Road
- South of Pajaro River; North of the Union Pacific Railroad; East of Allison Road
- South of the Pajaro River; North of Matiasevich Lane; east of the Union Pacific Railroad; West of Allison Road
- South of Pajaro River; North of Salinas Road; East of Union Pacific Railroad; West de Salinas Road
- South of Bishop Street; North of Union Pacific Railroad; East of Allison Road; West of Union Pacific Railroad
- South of Pajaro River; North of Trafton Road; East of McGowan Road; West of Highway 1
- South of Pajaro River/McGowan Road; North of Bluff Road/Jensen Road; East of Pajaro River; West of Highway 1
Santa Cruz forecast: More rain, 50 mph winds expected tonight | 11:16 a.m.
Moderate rain bands will gradually clear out by 2 p.m. this afternoon, giving a brief break for residents dealing with floodwaters from the San Lorenzo river and nearby streams that are filled to the brim. Water levels will likely continue to rise as runoff from nearby roads and Highway 17 filters into the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Another round of rain will then begin rolling in tonight after 8 p.m. This round will host isolated thunderstorms that will bring brief bursts of strong winds gusting to 50 mph and downpours between half an inch to three quarters of an inch. Because of their isolated nature, these thunderstorms will bring on-and-off rain to residents in the Santa Cruz Mountains, with dry-periods between each storm lasting anywhere from a few minutes to a couple of hours. These “garden-variety” thunderstorms will last through Tuesday morning.
Moderate rain bands will gradually clear out by 2 p.m. this afternoon, giving a brief break for residents dealing with floodwaters from the San Lorenzo river and nearby streams that are filled to the brim.
Weatherbell
Satellite images show storms arriving tonight and Tuesday
As California continues to get battered by the latest atmospheric river, the next round of storms is already traveling across the Pacific towards the state’s coast, according to a post from the Bay Area National Weather Service. The post showed satellite imagery of lightning flashes due to arrive later tonight and Tuesday.
As the #AtmoshpericRiver continues to move through the Bay Area and Central Coast we’re also watching the next round of storms farther west. Here’s a satellite loop showing all of the lightning flashes. These storms arrive later tonight and Tuesday. #cawx pic.twitter.com/ZXPN7ag8gp
— NWS Bay Area 🌉 (@NWSBayArea) January 9, 2023
Westbound State Route 37 in Marin closed due to flooding | 10:55 a.m.
State Route 37 westbound in Marin is closed between Atherton Avenue and US-101 due to roadway flooding, according to a post from the California Highway Patrol. The agency is asking motorists to use Atherton Avenue to access US-101 and that they “do not attempt to go through the closure.” It did not have an expected reopening time.
Flood advisory in effect for S.F., South Bay, East Bay
A flood advisory was issued for San Francisco, South Bay and East Bay regions through Monday 4 p.m., according to a Bay Area National Weather Service post. Minor flooding and the flooding of highways, streets and underpasses are expected, the post said.
A warning is issued when a hazardous weather event is imminent or currently occurring. An advisory is for a less serious weather event that is likely to happen or already happening. A watch is issued when the risk of a hazardous weather event has increased significantly, but details aren’t yet fully known about when and where. You can see all the weather advisories currently in effect in California using this tool.
Flood Advisory Now in Effect until 4 PM PST This Afternoon. https://t.co/smoizk28d0 #CAwx pic.twitter.com/XB19q9PhnE
— NWS Bay Area 🌉 (@NWSBayArea) January 9, 2023
Flood ravages Santa Cruz County bridge
Heavy floods caused the Via del Sol Bridge to collapse, cutting off one pathway to Browns Valley Road, a private, one-lane artery linking small neighborhoods in the Santa Cruz Mountains. As of 10:30 a.m. Monday morning crews were headed out to a backup bridge, Las Colinas, a small span over a creek that also feeds into the Browns Valley area. Last week workers cleared debris from the channel to prevent it from flooding the banks, county spokesperson Jason Hoppin said, noting that crews will resume that cleanup effort today to protect surrounding homes.
The Browns Valley Road Bridge at Via Del Sol has been damaged in Santa Cruz County. Our crews responded and made contact with people who live in the area. The alternative route is Las Colinas Drive. #CaWx @sccounty pic.twitter.com/cCbtt9UVb9
— CAL FIRE CZU (@CALFIRECZU) January 9, 2023
Soquel Village inundated with floodwater
Soquel Village in Santa Cruz County was inundated with water Monday morning, leaving several shops and restaurants with flood damage.
Business owners had stacked sandbags in doorways, most of them left from previous storms over recent weeks. Still, water seeped into buildings as people used brooms to fend it off.
The area remained under a mandatory evacuation order.
Soquel Village in Santa Cruz County flooded this morning, leaving shops and restaurants soggy (video from the folks at El Chipotle Taqueria) pic.twitter.com/a35iTd8EMf
— Kurtis Alexander (@kurtisalexander) January 9, 2023
Monterey County offering transportation and medical treatment
Residents in the Pajaro area who need transportation or medical treatment should go to the Pajaro Valley Golf Course at 967 Salinas Road, according to the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office.
“High avalanche danger” expected in greater Lake Tahoe area through Wednesday
The Central Sierra Nevada Mountains between Yuba Pass and Ebbetts Pass, including the greater Lake Tahoe area, is under an avalanche warning until Wednesday 7 a.m., according to an early Monday morning notice.
Southbound State Route 17 closed due to landslide | 10:01 a.m.
Southbound State Route 17 south of Glenwood Drive is closed due to a landslide, according to a post from the Santa Cruz California Highway Patrol.
Traffic alert 🚨 road closure Southbound SR-17 south of Glenwood Dr. Slide is blocking the roadway pic.twitter.com/lvAcjrhfLT
— CHP Santa Cruz (@CHPscrz) January 9, 2023
San Lorenzo River floods Santa Cruz homes and roads
Several homes and roads were under water in the Felton Grove area of the Santa Cruz Mountains as the San Lorenzo River spilled its banks Monday morning, inundated by relentless rain showers over the weekend.
Intense rains had caused the river that runs through the mountains into the city of Santa Cruz to flood earlier than anticipated. It continued to rise as of 8 a.m. Monday. Hoods of cars and the upper halves of garages peered over pools of muddy water, which had submerged trees to the point that only their branches stuck out. Read more about the intense weather in Santa Cruz here.
More than 16,000 without power in the Bay Area | 9:46 a.m.
About 16,095 Pacific Gas & Electric customers in the Bay Area are without power as of Monday 9 a.m., according to PG&E spokesperson Tamar Sarkissian.
Affected customers include:
- 8,413 in the North Bay
- 4,771 in the Peninsula
- 2,076 in the East Bay
- 748 in the South Bay
- 87 in San Francisco
Daniel Swain: Central Coast, SoCal at greatest risk of flooding today, Tuesday
Parts of southern California and the central coast will be at the greatest risk of flooding, with one or two more significant storms between now and the end of the week, said UCLA climate scientist Daniel Swain at a live office hours event Monday morning. Though the storms aren’t “extremely strong,” saturated soils mean that moderate storms can still cause significant runoff and flooding, Swain said.
The current wet spell is “remarkable in its intensity, but certainly not the most extreme we’ve seen historically,” Swain said. California is susceptible to occasional but severe flood events, Swain said.
“In this drought era, a lot of folks in California may have forgotten just how significant the storms can get at times, how much water can fall from the sky over a relatively short period of time,” Swain said.
It can be difficult to talk about the risk of severe flooding in the midst of severe drought, Swain said. But there is potential to “fight droughts with floods” such as by redirecting some of these flood flows as they occasionally occur to recharge depleted Central Valley groundwater,” Swain said.
Swain and co-researcher Xingying Huang have found that climate change is increasing the risk of a California megaflood, what they’ve dubbed “Arkstorm 2.0.” But the current storm, though severe, “is not at the top end of the range of what is plausible in this part of the world, especially in a warming climate,” Swain said Monday.
“This is neither as intense nor as long in duration nor as widespread as the kind of events that we are talking about, although it certainly gives us a taste of what things (could) look like as we head a little bit more in that direction,” Swain said.
Pajaro Valley Unified School District schools closed Monday
All Pajaro Valley Unified School District schools in Santa Cruz County are closed Monday due to a flash flood watch, according to a notice from the Watsonville district. All schools in evacuation zones are closed Tuesday as well, the notice said. The school district will assess Tuesday conditions for the other schools and provide an update later, the notice said.
Northern California forecast: After brief lull, rain resumes Tuesday
Heavy downpours are set to persist through 10 a.m. in the South Bay and Santa Cruz Mountains as the atmospheric river dips south into the Central Coast. This system will continue its march into the Big Sur coast this afternoon, giving a chance for Bay Area residents to pick up from wind damage last night and for water levels to stabilize in rivers and streams in the region.
This includes the high water levels in the Santa Cruz Mountains, where extreme flooding from high rainfall rates overnight caused the San Lorenzo River.
More heavy rain will arrive to the Bay Area after midnight and into early Tuesday morning. raising the risk for moderate downpours and additional strains on burn scars and rivers in the region that are already filled to the brim with water. These rain bands will persist through late Tuesday morning and hang over the Santa Cruz Mountains until the early afternoon hours before finally exiting Northern California and the Central Coast by mid-afternoon.
Several roads closed in Petaluma due to flooding
The Petaluma Police Department advised on Monday morning that several drivers have become stranded on roads due to flooding and that it expected runoff from the Petaluma River watershed to continue for the next few hours. As a result, the city has closed several roads.
- Petaluma Blvd North between Corona Road and US 101.
- Old Redwood Hwy between North McDowell and US 101.
- The intersection of Petaluma North and Industrial Drive/Stony Point Road is closed.
- Stony Point Road between Petaluma Blvd North and Pepper Road.
- Rainsville Road between Stony Road and Liberty Road.
- Lakeville Hwy (State Route 116) between Stage Gulch Road and Frates Road.
- Westbound Lakeville in the 100 block, near Madison Street.
- Northbound North McDowell at Redwood Way.
Log jam forces ‘emergency closure’ of portion of Highway 1 in Santa Cruz
The California Highway Patrol in Santa Cruz said Monday morning they were preparing for an “emergency closure” of Highway 1 at River Street to remove a log jam piling up at the freeway overcrossing, where the San Lorenzo River continues to flood. The No. 2 northbound lane on Highway 1, south of River Street, will be closed. It was not immediately known how long the highway will be closed.
🚨🚧 We’re preparing for an emergency closure of the N/B # 2 lane on Hwy 1 s/of River Street due to removal of this log jam at the freeway over-crossing, as the San Lorenzo River continues to rise. pic.twitter.com/ozjKVsYaol
— CHP Santa Cruz (@CHPscrz) January 9, 2023
Santa Cruz County opens evacuation centers in Watsonville, Aptos | 8:46 a.m.
Residents evacuating from heavy rains and floods can go to two open evacuation centers: the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds in Watsonville and Cabrillo College in Aptos, according to the county website. Both centers are ADA-compliant and pet-friendly. The two centers also have RV parking, but there are no vehicle hookups, according to the website.
More thunderstorms and risk for waterspouts on the way for Bay Area
A second round of thunderstorms is headed for the Bay Area late tonight and into early Tuesday morning. This instability will raise another slight risk for waterspouts and weak tornadoes on the coast, San Francisco Bay and portions of the Peninsula. While brief, these spin ups would cause local wind damage to property. The risk will drop off by mid-morning on Tuesday.
Evacuation warning issued in Solano County
Solano County officials on Monday morning issued a flood evacuation warning in Vacaville for areas west of Peabody Road, south of Beelard Drive, east of Northwood Drive and north of Alamo Drive.
Flood advisory in effect for large portion of Bay Area | 8:42 a.m.
A flood advisory for a large swath of the Bay Area — including San Francisco, the Peninsula, the South Bay and East Bay — is in effect until 10 a.m. Monday. People should expect flooding on highways, streets and underpasses, the National Weather Service said.
Storm expected to hit Southern California with heavy rain, strong winds, flooding
The atmospheric river is expected to bring heavy rain, damaging winds and potential flooding to Southern California on Monday and Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service. Flood advisories were in effect in several counties, including Santa Barbara and Ventura. Los Angeles County is under a moderate risk for excessive rainfall, according to Chronicle meteorologist Gerry Díaz.
Slight risk for Northern California tornadoes as atmospheric river heads south
Episodic bursts of isolated thunderstorms be possible on the coast from the Peninsula into Monterey Bay this morning, with instability raising the risk for isolated landspouts and weak tornadoes. The high energy off this storm’s strong winds and instability will remain mostly off the coast as it dips south into Monterey Bay and the Big Sur Coast this afternoon, but that will translate into a slight risk for waterspouts that could briefly come ashore. This risk will drop off on the Peninsula by the early afternoon and clear out by Monday night on the Central Coast.
Bursts of isolated thunderstorms be possible on the coast from the Peninsula into Monterey Bay this morning, with instability raising the risk for isolated landspouts and weak tornadoes.
GOES-West satellite, NOAA
FEMA approves California disaster aid
President Biden has approved federal disaster assistance for California, the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced Monday. Gov. Gavin Newsom had requested the aid Sunday, saying an emergency declaration would unlock the “full support of the federal government” for the state as it faces major storms this week bringing more flooding, landslides and power failures after last week’s deadly bomb cyclone deluge. The aid will supplement state, local and tribal response efforts to emergency conditions resulting from the winter storms, flooding and mudslides starting Jan. 8 and going forward, FEMA officials said in a news release.
FEMA is authorized to coordinate disaster relief and prevention efforts in El Dorado, Los Angeles, Mariposa, Mendocino, Merced, Monterey, Napa, Placer, Riverside, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Sonoma, Stanislaus and Ventura counties.
Sonoma County school district closes all schools Monday due to flooding, excessive rain
All 13 schools in the Cotati-Rohnert Park Unified School District were closed Monday due to the heavy rain and flooding caused by the storm, according to district officials. “We will continue (to) monitor the conditions and keep our families updated with any new information,” school district officials said.
Aptos Beach Flat under evacuation order in Santa Cruz County | 8:20 a.m.
Residents in the Aptos Beach Flat areas are also under an evacuation order, along with residents in Soquel, Felton Grove and Paradise Park, according to an announcement from Santa Cruz County. Residents can check if their address is under an evacuation order by going to community.zonehaven.com
Flash Flood Warning for Santa Cruz County | 8:20 a.m.
Last night’s extensive rainfall, especially west of Highway 17, has helped to raise the San Lorenzo river to its major flood stage. Runoff from previous storms is also playing a role in amplifying water levels in rivers and streams across the Santa Cruz Mountains as water levels in creeks rise and runoff makes it to the coast.
The risk for both mountain and coastal flooding has prompted the National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for Santa Cruz County until 9:45 a.m.
BART advises riders to prepare for train delays
BART trains will be running slower by about 20 minutes due to Monday’s storm, according to a tweet from the agency’s @sfbartalert account. Riders were advised to factor delays into their travel time and use the official BART app for real-time departure schedules.
Major flooding in Santa Cruz County’s Felton Grove
Several homes and roads were under water in the Felton Grove area of the Santa Cruz Mountains on Monday morning as the San Lorenzo River spilled its banks.
Evacuations of areas along the river in Felton and Santa Cruz began over the weekend.
Due to intense rainfall in the region, the San Lorenzo River hit flood stage earlier than forecast and was continuing to rise Monday.
Major flooding in Felton Grove in Santa Cruz County as San Lorenzo River spills its banks pic.twitter.com/6Hrcvrmih6
— Kurtis Alexander (@kurtisalexander) January 9, 2023
“Avoid travel if you can” in San Francisco | 8:11 a.m.
“Heavy rain and high winds overnight means flooded streets, downed trees and other debris on the roads,” said the San Francisco Department of Emergency Management, urging people to “avoid travel if you can.” Drivers should use “extreme caution” when driving through flood areas and standing water, as one foot of moving water can sweep a car away, DEM said.
San Francisco street flooded | 8:09 a.m.
People should avoid Crossover Drive between Fulton Street and Lincoln Way in San Francisco due to flooding, according to a morning alert. Emergency crews are on the scene, the alert said.
List of Highway Closures piling up in Northern California
The list of highway closures continued to grow Monday Morning as a second atmospheric river storm slammed the Bay Area and Northern California. Here are the additional closures, according to CalTrans:
- SR-88 was closed at Peddler Hill, Carson Pass & Carson Spur due to heavy snow, with no estimated time of reopening, CalTrans said. Chains are required in the Sierra, & all non-essential is highly discouraged.
- Highway 70 was closed from Feather River Canyon between Jarbo Gap in Butte County and the SR89 junction at Greenville Wye in Plumas County due to flooding and slides. There was no estimated time of reopening and motorists were advised to use alternate routes, CalTrans said.
- The Wilson Way on-ramp in Stockton to eastbound SR-4/Crosstown Fwy was closed due to flooding, CalTrans said. No estimated time of reopening was available.
What’s the difference between an atmospheric river and a bomb cyclone?
An atmospheric river is a band of moisture that transports large amounts of water through the atmosphere, producing heavy rain and snow. A bomb cyclone is a storm that rapidly intensifies over a 24-hour period and can produce strong winds, intense rain and snowfall. Such a storm made landfall last week. The current system is an atmospheric river storm, which being propelled by an extensive plume of sub-tropical moisture streaming in from the Pacific.
Santa Cruz County urges residents to “stay home” | 7:57 a.m.
“Travel will be extremely difficult, if not impossible, throughout the county this morning,” according to a tweet from Santa Cruz County officials. “urging” people to stay home if they can.
Morgan Hill is experiencing significant flooding. Especially those It is critical that for all those west of Monterey Road, if you can avoid driving and stay home, please do, officials said.
“Significant flooding” in Santa Clara County
The city of Morgan Hill advised residents to stay home and avoid the “significant” flooding swamping several streets.
Flooding was particularly severe “near Little Llagas and Fisher Creeks,” the city tweeted.
“It is critical that for all those west of Monterey Road, if you can avoid driving and stay home, please do.”
Morgan Hill is experiencing significant flooding. Especially those near Little Llagas and Fisher Creeks. It is critical that for all those west of Monterey Road, if you can avoid driving and stay home, please do. pic.twitter.com/XkgwFhiASZ
— City of Morgan Hill (@CityofMorganHil) January 9, 2023
Residents near low-lying areas of Carmel River ordered to evacuate | 7:51 a.m.
The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has ordered residents living near low-lying areas of the Carmel River to evacuate “effective immediately and until further notice due to the incoming storm,” according to a county notification.
You can view the evacuation map here
Rescue teams at work in Santa Cruz Mountains
Rescue teams freed a driver caught in the flooded intersection of Graham Hill Road and Mount Hermon Road in Felton in Santa Cruz County Monday morning. Several roads and highways in the Santa Cruz Mountains remain impassable or closed due to high water.
The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning for the region until 9:45 a.m. Residents are advised to stay off the roads if possible.
Latest on Northern California weather advisories | 7:37 a.m.
As yet another atmospheric river storm hits Northern California on Monday, here are the weather advisories to be aware of from the Bay Area National Weather Service:
High wind warning in the Marin Coastal Range, Sonoma Coastal Range, North Bay Interior Mountains and Coastal North Bay, until 8 a.m. Monday: Gusts up to 60 mph are expected in the valley, while gusts up to 80 mph could be seen along the coast and highest peaks. Winds will blow down trees and power lines, with “widespread” power outages expected.
Flash flood warning in Santa Cruz County until 9:45 a.m. Monday: Flash flooding is already occurring as heavy rains continue, with the potential to be life-threatening
Flood advisory in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties until 10 a.m. Monday: Minor flooding in low-lying areas and areas with poor drainage is occurring.
Flood warning in Santa Cruz County until 12:15 p.m. Monday: Heavy rainfall is causing a rapid rise in creeks and streams such as the San Lorenzo River at Big Trees, Soquel Creek, Corralitos Creek and Salsipuedes Creek, already causing flooding. “It will take several hours for all the water from these storms to work through local drainage systems in urban areas,” the NWS said.
Flood watch in the entire San Francisco Bay Area and Central Coast through Tuesday: The heaviest rainfall is expected Monday from 4 a.m. to noon. Widespread flooding; shallow mud, rock and landslides; and the “rapid rise” of creeks and streams are possible.
A warning is issued when a hazardous weather event is imminent or currently occurring. An advisory is for a less serious weather event that is likely to happen or already happening. A watch is issued when the risk of a hazardous weather event has increased significantly, but details aren’t yet fully known about when and where.
You can see all the weather advisories currently in effect in California using this tool.
Mudslide blocking Highway 9 near Santa Cruz County’s Glen Arbor | 6:55 a.m.
Crews are en route to clean up a mudslide blocking both lanes of Highway 9 near Glen Arbor, according to a Santa Cruz County post.
Mudslide coving both lanes of #Highway9 near Glen Arbor. Crews en route.
— Santa Cruz County (@sccounty) January 9, 2023
Santa Cruz County begins evacuations near San Lorenzo River, Soquel Creek | 6:33 a.m.
Evacuations are underway in the Felton Grove, Paradise Park and Soquel areas as San Lorenzo River and Soquel Creek begin to flood, according to an announcement from Santa Cruz County.
With the San Lorenzo River at flood stage, evacuations have begun in the Felton Grove and Paradise Park areas. Soquel Creek has reached action stage. Check your zone at https://t.co/s5GvnC3vMN.
— Santa Cruz County (@sccounty) January 9, 2023
Residents can check if their address is under an evacuation order by going to community.zonehaven.com
Monday’s weather forecast: Rain, wind timeline
This storm could give the Bay Area 2 to 4 inches of rain across the lower elevations. In the higher elevations, like the East Bay hills, mid-Peninsula hills, North Bay mountains and South Bay hills, 3 to 6 inches of rain could fall. The Santa Cruz Mountains could receive the most, up to 9 inches.
In the North Bay, by Monday afternoon or evening, the Napa River at Napa and at St. Helena could reach monitor stage. The Russian River at Healdsburg could reach monitor stage, and the Russian River at Guerneville could reach flood stage Monday evening. In the South Bay, the Guadalupe River near Almaden Expressway could reach monitor stage Monday afternoon. In addition to downpours, strong, gusty winds are possible in the Bay Area.
The strongest winds impacted the Bay Area overnight. Around 4 a.m. Monday, strong winds could still gust up to 40 to 50 mph, mainly for ocean-facing mountains in the North Bay and the Santa Cruz Mountains. By 7 a.m. the winds could still be gusty from the south, between 30 and 40 mph. Even though the gusts are not expected to be as strong during the day, they could still reach 35 mph. Sustained winds will blow from the south between 20 and 30 mph.
Read the full Bay Area weather forecast from Chronicle meteorologist Michelle Apon.
California parks warn people not to visit
The California State Parks Twitter account on Sunday evening that people should “postpone your recreational activities for another time” because of the dangerous weather.
NOTICE: Multiple significant wind & rainstorms may make a dangerous landfall this week. Please postpone your recreational activities for another time. Sign up to receive emergency alerts from your local officials at https://t.co/yurpK9p8nP pic.twitter.com/1IBg8Beq75
— CA State Parks (@CAStateParks) January 9, 2023
Flood warning for San Jose river
A flood warning was issued for Monday along the Guadalupe River above Almaden Expressway in San Jose. Forecasters said the river would rapidly rise to flood stage of 9.5 feet by 9 a.m., and crest another two feet higher late Monday afternoon.
A Flood Warning is now in effect for mainstem river flooding along the Guadalupe River above the Almaden Expressway in San Jose. The Guadalupe will rapidly rise through Monitor Stage of 7.5 ft by 630 am Mon to Flood Stage of 9.5 ft by 9 am, cresting at 11.5 ft around 4 pm Mon. pic.twitter.com/FXCsySxGKU
— NWS Bay Area 🌉 (@NWSBayArea) January 8, 2023
Evacuation warnings near Russian River and Sacramento
About 13,000 Sonoma County residents from Healdsburg to Jenner were under an evacuation warning because the Russian River was expected to overtop its banks in coming days, the Associated Press reported. Forecasters said the river could reach flood stage Monday evening at Guerneville.
To the northeast of the Bay Area in Sacramento County, residents of the farm community of Wilton — where a levee break on New Year’s Eve flooded Highway 99, stranded fleeing motorists and led to several deaths — ordered to leave the area Sunday evening again because of imminent flooding risk.
The Sacramento County Office of Emergency Services warned that rising water could spill over onto roads and cut off access for people trying to leave the area.
“Don’t wait for an evacuation order,” the agency said.
Evacuation warnings were issued Sunday in flood risk areas, including in Santa Clara County for residents in specific watershed areas of the Uvas Reservoir and Pacheco Pass River Basin.
In unincorporated Santa Cruz County, officials issued evacuation warnings for people in at-risk areas, including near Boulder Creek, Felton and Soquel, and along the Pajaro River. In Alameda County, officials recommended that residents near Sunol living on Kilkare Road, Palomares Road and Niles Canyon leave ahead of the storms and find shelter.
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