MENDOCINO CO., 12/19/25 – The National Weather Service issued a flood watch on Friday for all of Mendocino County, warning that excessive rainfall from an incoming atmospheric river could lead to flooding, landslides and hazardous travel beginning Saturday afternoon.
The flood watch is in effect from Saturday afternoon through Monday afternoon, according to the weather service.
The storm is expected to enter the region Saturday afternoon and linger through Monday, bringing periods of moderate to heavy rain with rainfall rates of a quarter to a half inch per hour. Total rainfall of 3 to 6 inches is forecast across much of the county.
Hopland is expected to receive the highest rainfall totals, with 3.5 to 6.25 inches forecast through Monday.
The weather service said Mendocino County may be near the center, or “bull’s-eye,” of the storm, though forecasters cautioned that rainfall could be highly variable due to the potential for narrow, slow-moving bands of intense rain. Some locations could receive significantly more rainfall than nearby areas if those bands stall.
Forecasters warned that rises in creeks and streams are likely, which could lead to minor flooding in low-lying and flood-prone areas, as well as urban and poor-drainage locations.
Areas of concern include the Russian River near Hopland and Talmage, the Navarro River along Highway 128, and the Garcia River near Point Arena. The weather service advises drivers not to attempt to cross flooded roadways and to “turn around, don’t drown.”
Saturated ground conditions are also expected to increase the risk of rock and landslides, particularly along roadways including Highway 101.
Additional storm systems could bring strong winds and more rain Tuesday and Wednesday, forecasters said.
Residents in areas prone to flooding or landslides are urged to monitor forecasts closely, sign up for emergency alerts and be prepared to take action should flooding develop. A list of local sandbag stations is available here.
Because Mendocino County contains multiple microclimates, weather conditions may vary widely by location. More information and local warnings are available at weather.gov.