Weather Service Issues a Flood Watch as Storms Continue to Slam California

Bay Area residents found themselves with no power this morning resulting from the strong storms that continue to strike the state of California.  According to Pacific Gas & Electric, 40,000 customers are without power.  63,000 lost power at 3 am, but the some were restored later in the day.  Darlene Chiu, Pacific Gas & Electric spokeswoman, warns people to “stay away from live wires and report any outages.” 

Due to the inclement weather, officials have cancelled the Alameda Bay Harbor Ferry service this morning, however, the Alameda/Oakland Ferry is still in service.

The storm systems first appeared Thursday afternoon and is expected to move into the Bay area and just about all of California until Monday.

Sierra-Nevada is expected to gain 10 feet of show.

The agency reports that offshore winds went up to 55 mph over the night and parts of the Santa Cruz Mountains are getting about 2 inches of rain per hour.

At 1:22 am, the National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Watch in the North Bay interior valleys and North Bay mountains area.

Strong winds and heavy rainfall is expected and could possibly create a flash flood on Friday.  Estimates based off of date collected from satellites indicate a possible half inch of rain per hour for the coast and valleys, as well as an inch or possibly more for the mountains.  The whole area is expected to get anywhere from 2-5 inches in lower areas to 6-8 inches on higher grounds.  Local flooding is expected to happen and small streams and creeks are likely to rise and go over banks quickly.

Residents are strongly encouraged to keep an eye on the weather and prepare accordingly.  Napa will continue its efforts to create sandbags which will be available at the Memorial Stadium on Menlo Avenue.  Sandbags will not be available as planned at the Corporation Yard on Saturday, the 5^th.  Residents also have the option to prepare their own sandbags in the “self serve program.”  A shovel, gloves and transportation are required to participate.  To find out more on how to get sandbags call the Streets Division of Public Works.  You may also visit the Emergency Information section of the Napa website at cityofnapa.org for more information on preparing for a flood.