Heavy rains are forecasted to continue with fast moving winds. From tonight until early Friday morning there’s a Flood Watch for Mendocino County. There will be a potential for flooding on the roads along with debris, and downed trees. The Flood watches cover the Russian River at Hopland and Navarro River at Navarro. Also parts of the August Complex Fire burn scar, where the earth was charred, and along HWY 175. There’s also a high wind watch in effect this morning through tomorrow morning with extreme weather patterns forecasted. Winds may also cause widespread power outages. A warning that travel should be avoided if possible and could be a challenge, particularly in high-profile vehicles. There’s also a reminder not to drive though flood waters and if you see a downed power line, to stay away from it, call 911 and or PG&E.
Sandbags are available from the Hopland Band of Pomo Indians at the corner of Hwy 101 and Hwy 175
Friedman’s Home Improvement in Ukiah
Redwood Valley Fire Station
The Willits Justice Center located at 125 E Commercial Street in Willits
Laytonville Fire Station
Hazardous conditions are expected across Mendocino County though tomorrow with this severe weather system. Category 3-4 impacts are forecasted with possible wind gusts in the 35-50 mph range. Moderate to heavy rain of one to three inches in lower elevations and three to six inches in higher elevations.
Monitor the potential PG&E outages here: https://pgealerts.alerts.pge.com/outagecenter/.
Should the power go out, the following locations will be available to charge electronic devices:
Fort Bragg Police Dept., 250 Cypress St.
City Hall, 416 N. Franklin St.
CV Starr Center, 300 S. Lincoln St.
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) was proactively placing personnel ahead of the nasty weather across Northern and Central California today and tomorrow after a half million customers lost power last weekend. They will have 360 four-person electric crews, 397 trouble-men, distribution line technicians and system inspectors like first responders. There will also be another 800 people monitoring electric incidents for public safety. The utility company’s Emergency Operations Center is also open along with regional and divisional emergency centers. About 250 vegetation-management personnel are also prepared to jump in.
PG&E says they’re using storm outage prediction models so they can place crews where needed in case of power outages. Crews are being mobilized across Central and Northern Calif on standby so they can get to areas quickly that may be hit hard by the cyclone-like weather today and tomorrow. The company says it’s prestaging power poles, powerlines, transformers, and other electric equipment so they can restore power safely to impacted areas as fast as they can. The energy company itself is forecasting strong, gusty winds, moderate to heavy rain and a chance of isolated thunderstorms. The big wind event is expected this afternoon. Flooding, mudslides, and road closures are expected. You can check PG&E’s website if your power goes out on your smartphone and type in your address for real-time outage info.
The driver of a Tesla has been arrested after reportedly driving over a cliff on purpose with two kids and another adult inside the vehicle. The CHP reports the driver went over a cliff on State Route 1 near the Bay Area. The CHP along with other emergency workers saw the white Tesla about 250-300 feet down by the Devils Slide Bypass Tunnel. Rescuers repelled down to the vehicle and found four people inside. They were taken to a hospital with serious injuries and the driver, Dharmesh Patel of Pasadena was arrested for attempted murder and child abuse.
Two people in Ukiah have been arrested on drug and weapons charges. Ukiah police say KC Stillwell of Covelo and Michael Cady of McKinleyville were arrested after a stolen car turned up through a license plate camera system. The 2007 Toyota Camry reportedly stolen out of Crescent City popped up in Ukiah city limits. The victim reported falling asleep in the car and that Stillwell stole the car. It was found in the Lucky’s parking lot. The pair were arrested without incident. Stillwell also had an outstanding warrant in Mendocino County for failing to appear in court for a previous vehicle theft. The pair were taken to Mendocino County Jail, each on $15,000 bail for possessing a stolen vehicle, possession of illegal drugs, possession of illegal drug
equipment, possession of a Billy club and that outstanding warrant for Stillwell.
The East Region Town Hall, meeting set up for today is canceled. The Town Hall, or ERTH, canceled over the weekend, but also the County Administrative Office said yesterday it didn’t meet Brown Act posting requirements. The agenda was apparently posted online and distributed in the community. Lake County News reports it may have been related to holiday hours in county offices. Because of that the agenda was not posted at the courthouse by the deadline. The next meeting is now set for Wednesday, February 1st at the Clearlake Oaks Moose Lodge.
Historic snowpack reported on the first measurement of the New Year. The Department of Water Resources had the first snow survey of the season at Phillips Station recording snow 55.5 inches deep with a snow water equivalent of 17.5 inches, for 177% of average for that location. This adds up to a statewide snowpack at 174% of average for the date. No way to know if it will impact the years long drought though, as it was similarly packed last year. Then the state had the driest January through March on record. The Department’s electronic readings at 130 stations across the state showed a snow water equivalent of 17.1 inches, or 174% of average for this date. The next snowpack measurement is set for February 1st.
A couple of teenagers have been arrested after an alarm went off at Prime Market in Ukiah. Police say when they got there, there was no power on in the building and the front glass door had been broken. They found the power was intentionally shut off and about $1,800 dollars’ worth of items were stolen. While there, police got a disturbance call elsewhere, then another of two people breaking the windshield of a car nearby. They found two 17-year-old males who officers say had jumped on the hood of the car, and stomped/kicked the front windshield multiple times, and caused it to break. The damage there was about $400 or more. They found the stolen items from Prime Market and arrested the two and booked them in Mendocino Juvenile Hall after being medically cleared for incarceration per COVID-19 protocols.
As we dive a little deeper into this weather system, we hear that there may be flooding in various places, the Navarro River, which isn’t unusual in these severe weather events, and the Russian River. The Russian is expected to reach its banks in Mendocino County and Sonoma County, with the possibility of three times the current level, per the National Weather Service. Meteorologists say the rain forecast with the atmospheric river event could bring as much as 8 inches in some spots today and tomorrow together across Sonoma County. Near Hopland, the upper Russian River is forecasted to top the 15-foot flood stage, at 17.6 feet. That could mean Highway 175 and Highway 222 near Ukiah get flooded out. The lower river should crest by Friday in Guerneville which could impact homes and businesses in the lower parts of town including by the Sonoma West Inn and Parker’s Resort.
The Mendocino County Public Health Office has put out a warning too, with the intense winter rainstorms to make sure you and everyone in your household is prepared. A reminder to have oxygen, prescription medicine, and other medical supplies on hand in case there’s a power outage or a potential healthcare access delay because of the stormy conditions. They say to have 2-3 days of meds available, if you use oxygen, check oxygen tank levels and contact your provider or pharmacy for refills or replacements. And before driving, to check out the CHP Traffic Information Page to make sure roads are clear. Also, check out MendoReady.org for the most recent emergency updates, where you can also find a Plan and Prepare Checklist.
