UPDATE 2/24/26, 4:00 p.m. – The National Water Prediction Service reports that the Russian River in Hopland has hit flood stage at 15.03 inches. A flood warning remains in place until 10 p.m.
MENDOCINO CO., 2/24/25 – The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for the Russian River near Hopland and Talmage, meaning residents should be prepared for the river to flood in those areas.
This is an upgrade from the flood watch that had been in place previously.
The watch is in effect for Tuesday, according to the weather service.
The National Weather Prediction Service, which tracks river conditions across the country, forecasts that the Russian River is will rise above flood stage between 11 a.m. and noon, cresting around 16.6 feet Tuesday night. It will fall back under flood stage after midnight.
When the river reaches flood stage, state Highway 175 in Hopland will flood and close. Near Talmage, Highway 222 could see minor flooding. Farmland in both areas will be flooded.
As of 9:45 a.m., the Russian River at Hopland measured 8.38 feet. The flooding comes as as atmospheric river brings up to 5 inches of rain to the county.
The river-specific flood watch is in addition to a countywide flood watch in effect until Tuesday night.
“If you are in the watch area, remain alert to possible flooding,” the weather service said. “Residents and those with interests near the river should monitor rising water levels and be prepared for possible flood warnings.”
Residents in flood-prone areas are urged to monitor forecasts closely, sign up for emergency alerts at mendoready.org, know their evacuation zone, and be prepared to act should flooding occur. 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.