Mendocino County Sheriff Matt Kendall says Mendocino County Office of Emergency Services spent much of Monday and Tuesday meeting with the state and local officials to get ready for the coming storm. The heaviest rains are set to start this afternoon and continue through Friday with weather models showing between 2 and 4 inches of rain possible each day along with strong winds which means likely power outages. Sheriff Kendall says the biggest concerns are mostly in Northern Mendocino County, from Willits to the North, however it is likely this storm could impact larger portions of the county. He says crews from the Mendocino County Department of Transportation, Caltrans, PG&E and fire fighters have been staged in certain areas to be ready.
The City of Fort Bragg is reminding you about how to prepare for the first big storm as we get into winter. With the Atmospheric River bringing a possible total of 8-12 inches of rain over the next few days along with strong winds they remind you to clear gutters, and secure outdoor items. They also remind you to avoid driving through flooded areas, never go around barricades, and have an emergency kit prepared. If your power goes out in Fort Bragg you can go to the lobby at City Hall or the Police Department for a charging station. Also free sand and sandbags will be available behind CV Starr but you need to bring your own shovel. In Ukiah, Friedman’s Home Improvement has free sandbags while supplies last but you also must bring your own shovel.
With the Flood Watch now in effect though Friday night, forecasters are primarily warning about an increased risk of rock and landslides along roadways and excessive runoff which could flood some creeks and flood-prone parts of the city especially where storm drains could get clogged. But we are also getting a closer forecast for the rivers. The Mendocino Voice cites the NOAA river gauges showing the Russian River near Hopland will reach a minor flooding stage of 15.8 ft. by Friday afternoon which means potential closures along Highway 175 and Highway 101. The Navarro River is currently forecast to hit 18.3 ft. Friday afternoon, which is below its flood stage of 23 ft. The Garcia River is forecast to rise to about 8.30 ft. on Friday and while it has no gauge, officials say it typically floods around 10 feet.
The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office has released the name of an inmate who died in custody at the County Jail last month. Issa Niambele of Ukiah was found unresponsive in his cell on October 29 and despite efforts by jail personnel, Ukiah Valley Fire Authority responders and the Adventist Health Ukiah Valley Emergency Department he died about four hours later. An autopsy and toxicology tests were done but those results haven’t been released with the toxicology sometimes taking several weeks. The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Coroner’s Unit is investigating his cause of death.
The attorney for a Lucerne man accused of assaulting two Lakeport police officers has filed a petition for mental diversion. Last month Cletus Manuel Rouillard pleaded not guilty to attempted murder, battery on a peace officer with injury and more in connection with an October incident in which Lakeport police responded twice on a report of a domestic dispute. Investigators say during the incident Rouillard was in violation of a restraining order and on probation for a previous domestic violence conviction. Prosecutors allege both officers were hurt with one suffering head trauma from being choked. Rouillard is in the Lake County Jail with bail of $1 million. The Record Bee reports his attorney asked for the mental diversion at a hearing this week. The judge’s decision on that is expected next month.
Woodland Community College’s Lake County Campus is hosting an open house Thursday night. It’s a way for you to see the academic programs they offer and the resources they have available to help you on your academic journey. New Lake County Campus Dean Korinda Ebenhack, who started over the summer, tells Lake County News many students pay no tuition because there are so many types of financial aid available. And she says they have more than 50 different degrees and certificates in a wide range of industries including their Culinary program which has a nearly 100% job placement and a Drinking Water and Wastewater Technology program which leads directly to state certification. The open house is Thursday afternoon from 4pm to 6pm. This is also the first public event at the school since the Boyle’s Fire.
