MENDOCINO CO., 2/18/26 – Mendocino County emergency officials say they are closely monitoring the winter storm and coordinating with partner agencies as impacts continue across the region.
Jeff Adair, emergency services coordinator with the Mendocino County Office of Emergency Services, said emergency managers are attending daily online meetings with the National Weather Service to stay on top of forecasts and expected impacts.
The current storm has brought heavy rain, snow, hail and wind to the county, which remains under a winter weather warning until Thursday morning.
During significant weather events, the county maintains communication with local police and fire chiefs, city managers and the Mendocino County Office of Education, Adair said.
“When we hear from them that they are experiencing impacts, or when we feel that they soon will, we organize Operational Area phone calls to get them the most up to date information,” Adair said.
Mendocino County faced criticism during severe winter storms in 2023, when residents in some remote communities reported being isolated for days without power or access to emergency services. County officials say they are continuing to coordinate closely with local partners during this week’s storm.
Additional fire resources from across the county have also be prepositioned in north county and Lake County to support storm response.
Adair said the county’s emergency preparedness website, MendoReady.org, provides updates on current emergencies, including weather forecasts, road closures, utility outages and school closures.
County officials are recommending that residents stay off the roads as much as possible while snow, rain and small hail move through the region.