Atmospheric River Headed Toward Danville; Flood Watch Issued

DANVILLE, CA — The phrase "atmospheric river" is back in the weather forecast for Northern California — the same "conveyer belt of moisture" that drenched the area for three straight weeks from late December to mid-January, according to the National Weather Service.

While scattered showers can be expected throughout the week, the weather service reports that the potent atmospheric river will arrive Thursday and continue through Friday. Danville and the entire Bay Area are under an NWS Flood Watch from 1 p.m. Thursday until 9 a.m. Sunday. The heaviest rain is expected to fall Thursday evening into Friday morning.

The storm is coming from the tropics in the Pacific Ocean, with an increasing possibility of several inches of rain. The areas at highest risk of more than 2 inches of rainfall include the North Bay, elevated parts of the peninsula in San Mateo County, southern Monterey County and the Central Valley.

In Danville, 1.06 inches of rain are expected to fall over 11.5 hours Thursday night, though the East Bay can expect as much as three inches. Winds are expected to gust at up to 31 mph. On Friday, another 0.88 inches are expected, with winds of up to 20 mph. There is also a 19 percent of thunderstorms.

Since the moisture is coming from the tropics, the rain could prove to be a threat for the deep Sierra snowpack.

The National Weather Service in Reno cautions residents that snow at 5500 feet or lower is at risk of being melted by the rain.

Local resources

The town published a list of comprehensive safety tips and resources on its storm update page.

Sandbags remain available at the Town Maintenance Center on 1000 Sherburne Hills Road. Danville residents can pick up up to 20 sandbags. See here for more information.
Anyone in unincorporated Contra Costa County can pick up sandbags at any of six locations around the county.

To report clogged storm drains, downed trees, or flooding, call Danville Maintenance at 925-314-3450 ( (M-Th 7:30 am–4:00 pm, Fri 7:30 am–1:00 pm). After hours, call the town’s non-emergency dispatch at 925-820-2144. Residents can also make reports online at www.danville.ca.gov/danvilleconnect.

Danville police will release public safety information through Nixle. To sign up, text your zip code to 888777. For more options, visit nixle.com.

Here are a number of local contacts:

• Danville Police: 925-820-2144
• San Ramon Police: 925-973-2779
• Contra Costa County Sheriff: 925-646-2441
• San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District: 925-838-6691

Other Resources:

• Contra Costa Animal Services: 925-335-8300
• East Bay Municipal Utilities District: 866-403-2683
• PG&E: 800-743-5000

Flood Tips from FEMA: www.ready.gov/floods

— Patch editor Bea Karnes and Bay City News contributed to this report.