We are in for some wild, and potentially dangerous, weather between now and Friday,
First, there is a flood watch for Lake and Southern Mendocino Counties through Thursday afternoon. Rain could cause an increased risk of rock and landslides along roadways. Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas. We could pick up another 1 to 3 inches of rain.
Then the National Weather Service has issued a Wind Advisory for Southern Lake County from Noon tomorrow until early Friday morning. Forecasters say there could be winds of 20 to 30 miles an hour with gusts to 45. Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects and tree limbs could be blown down, causing a few power outages Forecasters say winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles, so they’re urging caution.
The wind also has led to a cold weather advisory for Southern Lake County and parts of Mendocino County, Wind gusts will be particularly strong along windward elevations and coastal headlands with wind chills dropping into the 20s. That could quickly lead to hypothermia, so make sure to bundle up if you are going out tomorrow afternoon through Friday morning.
If that weren’t enough, the same storm system could bring high surf to the Mendocino Coast as well. There could be large breaking waves 20 to 22 feet with a high surf advisory in effect from 6 PM Thursday to 2 PM Friday. Breakers along the coast will lead to increased wave run-up on beaches with waves topping and washing over large rocks and jetties. Those large waves can be erratic and unpredictable. You should use extra caution near the surf zone because the waves will be capable of sweeping people into the frigid and turbulent ocean water. Mariners traversing the bar are urged to exercise extreme caution or stay in port until the threat subsides.
A not guilty plea for a man accused of a murder in Lakeport’s Library Park. Joshua Tovar made that plea in Lake County Superior Court on charges that he shot and killed Vicente Collacio last month. Prosecutors say the shooting happened after the two argued at a nearby bar. The charges against Tovar include homicide, assault with a firearm and other gun chargesTovar has a long record. He’s done time for previous felonies. His next court date is March 26th. A second man identified as Parker Coggins of Lakeport was also arrested after the murder but DA Susan Krones tells Lake County news no formal charges have been filed against him as the investigation continues.
The US Forest Service says it is working to repair a road damaged by the recent rains. They say the M1 Road just north of Lake Pillsbury. is impassable, As soon as weather permits and equipment is available, forest staff will get to work smoothing out the steep drop-off until permanent repairs can be made.
The Salvation Army says it’s been busy helping people affected by the recent flooding in the Russian River region. They say their Emergency Disaster Services response team out of Santa Rosa has provided 215 hot meals, hot chocolate, and coffee to those in need.
You could see smoke from a couple of controlled burns in the Mendocino National Forest. The Forest Service says crews in the Upper Lake district burned about 22 acres of piles Tuesday, with another 13 acres burning today. In the Grindstone district, they’re burning about 150 acres in the Letts Lake basin, pending favorable conditions. The Forest Service says all burns are carefully monitored. You should avoid those areas until the burns are done. The locations are available on the inciweb.wildfire.gov web page
