Russian, Napa Rivers To Exceed Flood Stage During Storms
GUERNEVILLE (CBS SF) -- The rain expected Thursday and Friday is forecast to flood parts of the unincorporated Sonoma County community of Guerneville Saturday morning, a National Weather Service meteorologist said Thursday.
The Russian River at Guerneville is expected to exceed flood stage of 35 feet at 7 a.m. Saturday, three feet above flood stage, meteorologist Steve Anderson said.
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Guerneville resident Megan Coltrin said she and her boyfriend, who live in Parker's Resort at 16220 Neeley Road, are moving to higher ground Friday.
At 35 feet, the water will be at the bathrooms of the camping and RV park where she lives with her boyfriend in a motor home. "That's just right at our backdoor," Coltrin said.
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At Betty Spaghetti in the lower section of the Guerneville, owner Greg Barnes said that despite predictions, none of the businesses in town are going to flood.
Barnes said water won't damage his business until the river reaches 40 feet and he's the first in town to receive damage. "It'll get close," he said.
Sonoma County Fire Chief Al Terrell said the county, which is responsible for the unincorporated areas such as Guerneville, is prepared to open the emergency operation center if necessary.
But county officials are waiting to see what the weather brings before making any other decisions besides availing residents of sandbags and notifying residents who may get flooded.
The county can assist residents who need to be evacuated. Two residential areas are expected to flood in or near Guerneville.
A Forestville trailer park will flood when the Russian River reaches 33 feet and Johnson's Beach and Resort in Guerneville will flood at 34 feet, according to the National Weather Service.
Flooding along the Russian River is expected to cause a host of other problems.
Roads near the river will flood, including state Highway 116 near Guerneville. Homes in the lower section of town will flood.
Flooding is also expected along the Napa River near St. Helena at 2 p.m. on Friday, as rain brings the river to a half a foot above the flood stage of 16 feet.
Minor flooding is expected in town along the river and sections of primary and secondary roads are expected to flood, Anderson said.
The river is expected to recede Saturday.
Rain will continue in the North Bay tonight and Friday. Another storm is forecast to move through Saturday and Sunday, with the North Bay expecting 8 to 10 inches before the rain ends Monday.
The greater San Francisco Bay Area is expected to receive 2 to 4 inches of rain by Monday, with 1 to 3 inches south of San Jose, Anderson said.
