Atmospheric River Headed Toward Livermore; Flood Watch Issued

LIVERMORE, 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. Livermore 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 Livermroe, 0.96 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 25 mph. On Friday, another 0.79 inches are expected, with winds of up to 22 mph. There is also a 20 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

Sandbags remain available at several locations throughout Livermore:

• Maintenance Service Center - 3500 Robertson Park Road (limit 6 bags per household)
• Fire Station 6 - 4550 East Avenue (limit 6 bags per household)
• Fire Station 8 - 5750 Scenic Avenue (limit 6 bags per household)
• Zone 7 Water Agency - 100 North Canyons Parkway (limit 10 bags per household)

Report flooding to Water Resources at 925-960-8160, or the Livermore Police Department at 925-371-4987. Downed trees and power lines can also be reported to the police department, or to 911.

If you know of anyone experiencing homelessness, contact CityServe of the Tri-Valley 925-222-2273 (CARE), or email connect@cityservecares.org.

For a full list of closures, storm safety tips, and contact information, visit the City of Livermore’s storm update page.

To receive local emergency notifications, text your zip code to 888–777. For Alameda County notifications, sign up for AC Alerts here.

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