Due to the atmospheric river now pummeling the Bay Area, the Great Highway between Lincoln Way and Sloat Boulevard is closed. According to NBC Bay Area, “There is no estimated time of reopening.” The atmospheric river, a long corridor of moisture in the sky, has unleashed a torrent of rain in the Bay Area since Tuesday evening, resulting in flooded city streets and rising creeks and rivers. The North Bay has been hit especially hard. And over in Castro Valley, the rain opened up a hole in the street on Somerset Avenue. A flash flood watch has been issued from today until Thursday morning for most of the Bay Area, while a high wind warning is in effect until Thursday morning for coastal areas in the hills above 1,000 feet. According to the National Weather Service:<doc-sep>SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) – A Category 3 Atmospheric River roared into the Bay Area Wednesday, triggering torrential rains, flooded roadways, mudslides and falling trees across the region. Wednesday afternoon, a mud and rock slide on Highway 17 at Sugarloaf Road closed southbound lanes at around 1:30 p.m. Within 45 minutes, one lane was opened, but at around 2:50 another slide at the same location had once again blocked all southbound lanes in addition to closure of the #1 northbound lane for clean-up crews. CHP reopened the northbound lanes shortly after 10 p.m. One southbound lane remained closed and there was no estimated time of reopening as of 10 p.m. Wednesday evening. National Weather Service officials on Wednesday evening revised two flood warnings they issued for the San Francisco Bay Area earlier. A warning for the Guadalupe River in San Jose has been canceled. The warning for southeastern Sonoma County expired at 10:45 p.m. while warnings for the Napa River near Napa and near St. Helena remain in effect. Weather officials also have added flood warnings for the Russian River at Johnson’s Beach near Guerneville until further notice and for urban areas and small streams in southeastern Marin County until 2:45 a.m. Thursday. The warning for the Napa River near Napa continues until late Thursday night while the warning for the Napa River near St. Helena extends to Thursday evening. Thousands of PG&E customers were without power as of early Wednesday evening as a result of heavy rain and gusty winds that have come through the Bay Area and caused flooding, downed trees and other problems. According to PG&E, there were 8,053 utility customers in the Bay Area without power as of 5 p.m. Wednesday. The majority of outages were concentrated in the South Bay, with 5,062 customers affected, followed by 1,665 in the North Bay and 933 on the Peninsula. The East Bay was only reporting 358 customers without power, while San Francisco had only 35. Only a few hours earlier, more than 15,000 PG&E customers were without power, so crews have been making some progress. The storm had caused the cancellation of 138 flights at San Francisco International Airport as of Wednesday afternoon, with more than 300 others delayed, airport officials said. For some North Bay residents, this storm is being described as a nuisance. There haven’t been any evacuations or rivers overflowing. The most common call the Sonoma County Sheriff is getting is from people who tried to pass on flooded roads and failed, causing their car engine to stall. “The last thing we want to do is respond to someone who drove through a road closed sign. That draws our resources away from their needs,” Paul Lowenthal, the Assistant Fire Marshall for the Santa Rosa Fire Department said. 21 roads were closed due to flooding in Sonoma County. Lowenthal said the city has handled flooding well so far, but added that there could still be problems as the storm progresses. “We’re just waiting to see what it does this evening as the winds intensify,” he said. PG&E opened its Emergency Operations Center and has double the usual number of crews staffed for the storm. “So far it’s started slow. We’re expecting more tree-related outages,” PG&E spokesperson Deanna Contreras said. “If you see a downed power line, assume its energized and call PG&E if you can.” The number to report downed power lines is 1-800-743-5000. Earlier Wednesday, many of the problems on roadways seemed to be concentrated in the North Bay. A downed tree on northbound Highway 101 in Petaluma caused CHP to trigger a severe traffic alert shortly after 11 a.m. Wednesday. The tree had fallen near East Washington Street and all lanes are blocked. Motorists are advised to expect delays and to use alternate routes to avoid the area. The tree was cleared and all lanes reopened at about 11:40 a.m. CHP additionally reported that flooding had shut down CA-1 at two points between Petaluma Valley Ford and Middle Road in Valley Ford as well as between North Bay Hill Road and South Harbor Way in Bodega. All lanes remain closed in both directions at both locations. Petaluma police were also reporting flooding in several areas, tweeting that Stony Point Road was closed between Petaluma Boulevard North and Pepper Road, while drivers were warned to use caution on Lakeville Highway due to minor flooding. Marin County Fire announced that Platform Bridge Rd. was closed due to flooding and was inaccessible from Sir Francis Drake or Petaluma Pt. Reyes Rd. : Road Closure- Platform Bridge Road is closed due to flooding and not accessible from Sir Francis Drake or Petaluma Point Reyes Rd. — Marin County Fire (@marincountyfire) February 14, 2019 CHP in Napa reported that State Route 121 at State Route 12 was flooded at around 10:30 a.m., forcing drivers to take alternate routes. The Marin County Sheriff reported that Drake Avenue had completely flooded at Donahue Street, closing the street at around 1 p.m. By around 5 p.m., it had reopened. The Novato Library will remain closed because of the rainstorms in the region and unresolved leaks, Marin County Library Director Sara Jones said Wednesday. The Novato branch at 1720 Novato Blvd. closed Dec. 1 for renovations of the heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. The library reopened Jan. 22 but roof leaks forced it to close on Feb. 2. The library was to reopen this Saturday, but Jones said it will stay closed as a precaution for two more weeks to prevent damage from storms and unresolved leaks. The reopening is now scheduled for March 2. The South Novato Library at 931 C St. in the Hamilton neighborhood will continue extended hours through Feb. 28. There will be no charges for returning late materials. A pop-up library branch in the Northgate Mall in Terra Linda will remain open through March. Libraries will be closed for President’s Day on Monday. The storm had Sonoma County in its bulls-eye overnight as an Urban and Small Stream Flood Advisory was issued for the area by the National Weather Service. Fueled by a steady downpour, Santa Rosa Creek overflowed over its banks into a nearby vineyards. The California Highway Patrol reported that several vehicles were stuck in standing water on Green Valley Road in Graton and two vehicles were trapped in two locations on Eastside Road, west of Windsor. A rockslide early Wednesday also slowed traffic on Mark West Road in Santa Rosa. By 7:30 a.m., Santa Rosa had gotten 2.58 inches of rain with Venado topping 4 inches, Pt. Reyes Station 1.94, Kentfield 1.97 and Mill Valley 1.58 inches. Sebastopol had seen 1.93 inches in the last 24 hours, and the Sonoma County Airport had 2.02 inches. Small creeks and streams continue to rapidly rise this morning as heavy rainfall moves over the region. Several reports of flooding from media and law enforcement indicate roadways are beginning to be flooded. TURN AROUND DON'T DROWN! #CAwx #Flooding #BayAreaWX pic.twitter.com/cA8IQnc8g0 — NWS Bay Area (@NWSBayArea) February 13, 2019 “Several reports from local law enforcement indicated flooding over roadways in the region (the North Bay) as rapid rises continue on area creeks and streams, especially those draining into the main stem rivers,” the weather service said. Santa Rosa, Petaluma, Rohnert Park, Windsor, Sebastopol, Cotati, Roseland, South Santa Rosa Cdp, Larkfield-Wikiup, Forestville, Guerneville, Graton and South Santa Rosa was where flooding would likely occur. STORM UPDATE, per @NWSBayArea increase in rainfall over the North Bay this afternoon which will result in even greater flooding concern & possible thunderstorms. Stay away from creeks, do not drive through flooded road closures. Additional trees down possible w/ power outages. pic.twitter.com/FVYzSmh5CB — Santa Rosa Fire Department (@SantaRosaFire) February 13, 2019 Willow Brook at Penngrove Park was above moderate flood stage by 7:30 a.m. Sonoma County officials reported that Skylane Blvd was closed between Airport Blvd and Kittyhawk Blvd due to flooding. The weather service said several rivers including the Russian, San Lorenzo, Pajaro, Carmel and Big Sur will see rapid rises over the next 24 to 48 hours because of storm runoff. The Russian River at Guerneville was forecast to rise above flood stage by Friday. The river was projected to reach 34.4 feet, above the minor flood stage of 32 feet. In San Francisco, minor flooding closed the Great Highway at Lincoln along the coast line Wednesday morning. Additional flooding was being reported on the Embarcadero as well as in the Bay View and at the Alemany Farmers Market on the southern end of the city. Road flooding near the Alemany Farmers Market in SF. Avoid the area, if possible. @KPIXtv pic.twitter.com/MF4B8X8ZI4 — Andria Borba (@AndriaKPIX) February 13, 2019 Standing water and minor flooding also created treacherous driving conditions during the morning commute. The California Highway Patrol reported numerous spinouts and crashes. Check out this flooding on #101NB in #Marin at the Lucky drive exit. Take it slow today! @KPIXtv pic.twitter.com/pFXuquPVOM — Emily Turner (@emilyKPIX) February 13, 2019 Traffic into San Francisco was slowed around 7:30 a.m. by a motorcycle crash and the commute from the Carquinez Bridge to the MacArthur Maze was taking an hour. A fallen tree in in Walnut Creek was blocking the 1500 block of Homestead Avenue between Seven Hills Ranch Road and Danforth Lane, according to a statement police issued online just before 10 a.m. Crews were working to clear the scene. Luckily no damages to homes near 1500 Homestead Ave in Walnut Creek, where a valley oak tree has fallen across the road. City crews are clearing the tree. pic.twitter.com/zkPsSdXP97 — BrianKPIX (@brianyuenKPIX) February 13, 2019 In Castro Valley, a sinkhole opened up on Somerset Avenue were a water main broke in the midst of the storm. An SUV got stuck in the sinkhole, but the driver managed to get out of the vehicle without injury. East Bay MUD officials were uncertain if the storm contributed to the water main break, but crews were investigating as the worked to fix the problem. That Castro Valley sinkhole tried to swallow this SUV, only managed to get one of the front wheels. Driver was ok, and able to walk her son to school. pic.twitter.com/LneSP9NTzC — Wilson Walker (@WilsonKPIX) February 13, 2019 CHP in Santa Cruz tweeted a photo of a car that got stuck on a flooded road that showed the vehicle in water that was at windshield level, warning drivers not to tempt fate. Important reminder as we continue to see heavy rains. Do not drive through roadways that are flooded. You never know how deep the water may be. This driver was fortunate to escape on Brookwood Dr in Santa Cruz. pic.twitter.com/uORKA5g7Zk — CHP Santa Cruz (@CHPscrz) February 13, 2019 Minor mudslides were also reported throughout the Bay Area. “Recent rainfall has saturated soils across the area, and the additional heavy rainfall will create the potential for widespread shallow landslides, rockslides, and debris flows,” the weather service said. “Periods of heavy rainfall will likely inundate storm drains with rapid rises on small creeks and streams.” Gusty winds also toppled trees and power lines in the region. A power outage in San Jose darkened more than 1800 homes while trees had fallen in Atherton and on Foster City Boulevard. The weather service issued a high wind warning for the Bay Area until 10 a.m. Thursday. “Strong winds may blow down limbs, trees, and power lines — scattered power outages were expected,” the weather service warned. “Sustained wind speeds of at least 40 mph or gusts of 58 mph or more can lead to property damage.” Officials also announced that the increment weather had forced them to close the Oakland Zoo. Windy and wet conditions also slowed the morning commute on BART train.<doc-sep>
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) — A Category 3 Atmospheric River, fueled by moist air from the remnants of a tropic storm that ravaged Hawaii, took aim at Northern California Tuesday, packing torrential downpours that could dump as much 8 inches of rain over the next 48 hours. The storm was the first ranked on a 1 to 5 system similar to hurricanes by researchers with the National Weather Service and UC San Diego’s Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes. The weather service has issued several watch and warnings in anticipation of the storm fronts fury. A flash flood watch and a high wind warning have been issued for the region from 10 p.m. Tuesday to 10 a.m. Thursday. High Wind Watch upgraded to High Wind Warning for most of #SF #BayArea as coast & mountain wind gusts will likely reach 50-60 mph… #CAwx @KPIXtv pic.twitter.com/2txZNUCpHN — Paul Deanno (@PaulKPIX) February 13, 2019 Here are the early reports of highest wind gusts as of 9:45 pm this evening. Keep in mind, the strongest winds are expected later tonight into Wednesday morning. #cawx pic.twitter.com/llun8NlSuV — NWS Bay Area (@NWSBayArea) February 13, 2019 “An atmospheric river with origins near Hawaii will take aim at the San Francisco Bay Area and Central Coast Wednesday through Thursday morning,” weather service forecasters warned. “Rainfall rates of at least half an inch per hour are possible during the heaviest showers, with the highest rates in the higher terrain.” A plume of the storm front was being carried by the jet steam from the Hawaiian Islands to the West Coast. Over the weekend, the Hawaiian storm brought heavy downpours, high winds, pounding surf and a historic dusting of snow above 6,000 feet on Maui. By the time the system clears the Bay Area on Thursday, 2-3 inches of rain could fall on the North Bay, 1-2 inches in San Francisco and Oakland and 4-6 inches in the coastal mountains. Forecasters warned some areas may see as much as 8 inches. “Periods of heavy rain and strong winds will continue Wednesday leading to flooding concerns across the region,” the weather service warned. The rain began steadily on Tuesday evening, but the brunt of the storm was predicted to hit the San Francisco Bay Area during the Wednesday morning commute. Soaking rains have arrived. Our KPIX5 radar tells me that, but I like this confirmation a little more: One of my co-workers just told me her kids can't sleep because "the rain is too LOUD". Oh to be a kid again… #CAwx @KPIXtv pic.twitter.com/y8vzOiHlo2 — Paul Deanno (@PaulKPIX) February 13, 2019 “The Wednesday morning commute will be adversely impacted with flooding roadways and ponding of water expected,” the weather service warned. “Periods of heavy rain are also possible during the Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning commutes.” Mudslides could also occur in areas where the hillsides have already become saturated by storms in early February. “Recent rainfall has saturated soils across the area, and the additional heavy rainfall will create the potential for widespread shallow landslides, rockslides, and debris flows,” the weather service said. “Periods of heavy rainfall will likely inundate storm drains with rapid rises on small creeks and streams.” Some heavy duty excavators were brought in to clear dirt and rock that came down on Hicks Road in San Jose Tuesday. The mess was between Pheasant and Alamitos roads right near the Gaudalupe Reservoir. Officials said they make keep that stretch of road closed because of the approaching storm. Santa Clara county is expected to see threats of flooding, reservoir levels increasing and likely more mudslides with this week’s next round of storms. “Mudslides happen when the soil gets very saturated from the rain, and when the rain starts to run off it often takes the loose soils with it,” said San Jose State Department Chair and Professor of Civil Environmental Engineering Laura Sullivan-Green. “That’s the type of slide we’ll see now.” She said while it’s difficult to predict large mudslides like the one that shutdown Highway 17 in 2017 during a particularly heavy rainy winter, we will likely see smaller scale slides this week because the ground is already saturated from recent storms. The threat of slides and mud flows, she said, lasts briefly after the rain stops. A mudslide Tuesday in Los Gatos on Pheasant and Hicks happened between storms.