🌱 Storm, River Predictions + Water Supply + E-Bike Program Paused

Hello, neighbors! It's a soaking wet Saturday in Healdsburg and I'm back in your inbox to get you caught up on everything you need to know about what's happening in town. This weekend edition of the Healdsburg Patch newsletter includes these stories:

• Storm predictions for the days to come
• What all this rain means for our water supply
• An unexpected hiccup in Healdsburg's bike share program
• And more...

But first, a quick personal update: I've been completely taken out the past week or so with a herniated disc in my lower back. I'm currently bedridden at my parents' house out West Dry Creek, under the care of my amazing mother. It's been wildly painful and humbling to say the least — and I want to thank the friends in town (and out of town) who've lent their support. You know who you are! Also, huge hat tip to the Dragonfly Farms staffer who drove this gorgeous get-well bouquet all the way up our bumpy country road. Check it out:

Now, your local weather:

• Saturday: Heavy rain, wind and possible thunderstorms. High: 53 Low: 47.
• Sunday: More rain and wind. High: 58 Low: 49.
• Monday: Same deal. High: 57 Low: 43.

And a heads up: There are a couple different local weather alerts in play right now for Healdsburg and environs. A "wind advisory" is in effect through tomorrow at 1 p.m., with gusts up to 50 mph possible, and a "flood watch" is in effect all the way through late Tuesday afternoon as "flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be possible." (National Weather Service & County of Sonoma via Facebook)

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Air over Healdsburg:

Here are the top 3 stories in Healdsburg today:

1. These rainstorms just keep on coming. The "evacuation warning" issued by the Sonoma County Sheriff remains in effect all the way through Tuesday for people who live along the river starting in "unincorporated south Healdsburg" out to the sea — meaning they should "be ready to evacuate." During that time, county officials predict we'll get 2 to 3 more inches of rain in town, 3 to 6 in the foothills and 8 to 10 in the mountains to our west. "Potential impacts include widespread flooding, multiple mud and landslides, impassable roads and rapid rises in rivers and creeks," the county says. "In addition to flooding, expect gusty winds, downed trees, and power outages." All of this, due to a "relentless parade of cyclones from the Pacific," as the National Weather Service is calling it. Forecasters predict the rain will really pick up again by tonight, then lighten up for a short lull on Sunday but break out into another surge by Monday morning. The Russian River water line, meanwhile, is expected to peak tomorrow — at around 19 feet in Healdsburg — and again on Tuesday at around 20 feet. That's just above the "monitor" level here in town, and not quite into "flood stage" territory like it will be over in Guerneville. But Healdsburg city officials say they will "continue to monitor weather forecasts, and the projected levels of the Russian River and Dry Creek (which impact Foss Creek)," in case we do start to enter dangerous territory. (Healdsburg Patch & City of Healdsburg via Facebook & Sonoma County Government & Sonoma County Government & Sonoma County Government & National Weather Service & Press Democrat; paywall)
2. TV news crews from the Bay were back up in Healdsburg this week to report on our local storm situation. Mostly they just found people who said they've seen worse as far as flooding goes, and are relieved to see our water supply being replenished. From the CBS Bay Area report: "In between storms, Northern California got some good news in two respects Thursday. First, reservoirs that desperately needed a boost are getting one. And there's a little bit of encouraging news for those along the Russian River, at least through the next couple of days. 'Well, yeah. Maybe because I put in the tanks we got the rain,' laughed Penny in Healdsburg. [CBS] first met Penny on the last day of November. She had just gotten her new water storage tanks. Barely a month later she has 300 gallons of progress on one side of the house to go with 300 more gallons on the other. 'We'll see,' she said of the turn of fortune. 'Hopefully it continues throughout the rainy season.'" As of yesterday, the Lake Mendocino reservoir — Healdsburg's main source of water — had passed 60,000 acre-feet. That's more than 96 percent of the target level for this time of year, and well above the average for the last decade. And things are looking hopeful at Lake Sonoma as well, which is 80 percent of the way to target. "The good news is that Lake Sonoma is rising," CBS reports. "The bad news is that it might take more rain all through next week just to get the water level back to where they started last year." And that's not impossible, given the current forecast! (NBC Bay Area & CBS Bay Area & Sonoma Water & Facebook Groups & Facebook Groups)
3. You know the Bird e-bike share program that launched late last year in Healdsburg? City officials are now saying they've "temporarily paused" the program due to "some in-flight turbulence" — "not that you’d probably want to get your feathers wet right now anyway." They haven't given a specific reason for the hiatus, but say that they've "paused payments" to Bird "through the duration the pilot program is on hold." More from their announcement: "We will update you when the flock is ready to fly! In the meantime, if you see a bike that has landed in an unsafe area, or in a location that’s ruffling feathers, please contact Bird Customer Service at 1 (866) 205-2442 so they can work to relocate the bike." Click through to the city's Facebook post to see some angry comments and questions from neighbors, and the cordial (if a little vague) responses from city officials. (City of Healdsburg via Facebook)

Today and tomorrow in Healdsburg:

Saturday, January 7

• Read to a Dog at the Healdsburg Library (11AM)
• Opening Reception for New "Blue" Exhibit at the Healdsburg Center for the Arts (5-7PM)
• Johnny Mojo & Friends Live at the Elephant in the Room, Featuring Joe Craven (9PM-12AM)

Sunday, January 8

• Final Day of "Stories Behind the Structures" Exhibit & Model Train Display at the Healdsburg Museum (11AM-4PM)
• Little Monsters Culinary Hosts Winter Cooking Class for Kids at Private Healdsburg Barn (3-4:30PM)

Monday, January 9

• Deadline to Apply for Open Spot on the Healdsburg City Parks & Rec Commission (5:30PM)
• Healdsburg Chorus Hosts First Rehearsal of the Spring Season at the Healdsburg Community Church (6:30-8:30PM)

Note from Simone: Probably best to check with organizers before attending any of the above events, in case they're canceled due to weather.

Healdsburg pics of the day, sweet deer edition:

Do you have pics to share of this crazy weather we've been having, or anything else interesting you've spotted in Healdsburg lately? You can send your photos to me here. Please just confirm in your email that you took them, and that Patch has permission to republish, K? 📸

From my notebook:

• Down in Forestville where Eastside Road ends, Mark West Creek hopped the newly renovated little bridge near Wohler and River Roads yesterday. See the pics here. (Healdsburg Fire Department via Facebook)
• And it was getting awful close to the Geyserville bridge, according to spooky footage shared by a neighbor. (Facebook Groups)
• The winter shelter at St. Paul's is open through at least Tuesday, due to the rain. (Reach for Home via Facebook)
• Sonoma County officials also say the fairgrounds are open for anyone who needs to evacuate. (Sonoma County Government)

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Thanks for following along and staying informed. Hope everyone is staying safe and dry out there.

— Simone Wilson

About me: I was born and raised in Healdsburg, CA, where I was the editor of the Healdsburg High School Hound's Bark. I have since worked as a local journalist for publications in San Diego, Los Angeles, New York City and the Middle East. I'm currently a senior product manager for Patch.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Healdsburg Daily? Contact me at simone.wilson@patch.com