UPDATE, 11/20/24, 10:09 p.m. – Power has been restored for over 3,300 PG&E customers in Little River, Mendocino, Caspar and southern Fort Bragg.
MENDOCINO CO., 11/20/24 – Rainy conditions continue throughout Mendocino County as the first major storm of the season progresses through the area.
“A strong atmospheric river storm system will continue to bring prolonged moderate to heavy rainfall tonight through Friday,” said the National Weather Service in its evening forecast report. “This could lead to life-threatening flooding late tonight and Thursday. Strong and damaging southerly winds are forecast to ramp up again late Thursday into Thursday night with impacts lasting into Friday.”
Rainfall amounts are impressive
In the past 24 hours, the highest rainfall amounts in the county have been along Mountain View Road east of Manchester. The area has reported 5.58 inches since Tuesday night. Black Mountain in the north reported 5.51 inches per the weather service.
Anderson Valley has also received heavy rain amounts, with Philo reporting 4.75 inches and Boonville 4.30 inches.
Additional rainfall amounts include Laytonville with 4.21 inches, Potter Valley with 3.4 inches, Yorkville with 3.24 inches, Hopland with 3.17 inches, Ukiah with 2.42 inches, Redwood Valley with 2.56 inches and Covelo with 1.71 inches.
Mendocino County could collect 7 to 9 more inches of rain through Saturday morning.
Wind will increase on the coast Thursday night, bringing gusts up to 50 mph
According to the weather service, south winds will increase throughout the evening across the county, with the coast expected to experience winds ranging from 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph.
As a result, a wind advisory has been issued for the entire Mendocino Coast starting at 10 p.m. tonight. The advisory will expire at 4 a.m. Friday.
“Wind gusts will be particularly strong along windward ridges and exposed coastal headlands,” said the weather service. “Wind this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Use extra caution.”
High winds can result in downed tree branches and other debris and objects being blown about. Power outages are also possible.
Flooding remains the biggest threat tonight through Friday
“The concern for major life-threatening flooding will increase,” said the weather service, which forecasts that rivers, streams and creeks will rise over their banks, with some rivers exceeding flood stages.
Of particular concern to the weather service is the Russian River in Hopland. The river is expected to reach flood stage at 15.1 feet Friday afternoon, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Due to flood concerns, the weather service has issued a flood watch for the entire county through Friday evening. “You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible flood warnings,” said the weather service. “Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop.”
A flood watch means that conditions are favorable for flooding. A flood warning means that flooding is imminent or already happening.
Power outages on the coast
Over 800 PG&E customers in Mendocino, Caspar and a portion of south Fort Bragg remain without power tonight. According to PG&E, power will be restored by 3 p.m. Thursday.
That number is down from over 3,300 who were without power earlier this evening, including residents of Little River, where power was restored around 6:15 p.m.
Earlier today, Fort Bragg and Westport experienced the first power outage of the storm. It lasted about two hours and impacted over 1,400 PG&E customers.
If Hoplabd floods hopefully major damage will hit those selfish weirdo criminals who now own the old Real
Goods site. That place is a cesspool, quite literally. They are even dumping sewer water out the side of one building along the highway. Walk by there sometime & you’ll see it. So gross.
Good to know , but haven’t they been a bit creepy & weird from day one.
Good to know , but haven’t they been a bit creepy & weird from day one.
Sewage dumping!? If that’s true, it should be reported