Berkeley Has 1 Day To Dry Out: Plan Ahead

BERKELEY, CA — Berkeley residents are dreaming of a drought-free existence after atmospheric rivers and a bomb cyclone exploded on the city swamping yards, flooding streets, uprooting trees, and causing landslides on roads through the East Bay hills.

The storms on Wednesday and Thursday howled with winds that exceeded hurricane force — 72 mph — in more than two dozen places in the Bay Area.

Multiple East Bay roads were impassable for a time because of flooding or landslides. Caltrans and both city and county Public Works employees are getting them cleared as quickly as possible, but some roads will take months to repair.

And PG&E is working around the clock to restore electricity. Wednesday night close to 100,000 customers were without power, but that number has dropped dramatically.

Meanwhile, snow continues to pile up in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, providing hope that this is the year we will finally break free from the drought.

The forecast Friday is for cool, dry weather. Waterlogged forecasts return on Saturday, according to the Accuweather forecast and intensify on Sunday.

In fact, rain is likely for seven of the next nine days. And the National Weather Service long term forecast predicts a slight chance of heavy rain through Jan. 19.

Friday will be your chance to get more sandbags, check around your home and yard for damage, and make a run to the grocery store.

Before the last storm the NWS reminded us to pack a “go bag” in case of evacuation orders; have insurance documents handy; have extra supplies on hand so that you don’t have to go out in the rain; stock up on medications and pet supplies; and be prepared for power outages.