Water Released From Del Valle Dam As New Storm Approaches

LIVERMORE, CA — With a another storm on the way later this week, record rainfall totals from a storm that hit the area New Year's Eve caused numerous roads to close due to mudslides and flooding, officials said.

In Livermore where nearly 2 inches of rain were recorded in a 24 hour period, police were asking residents on Sunday to stay away from Arroyo Mocho creek and trail as the California Department of Water Resources released water from the Del Valle Dam at a rate of 500 cubic feet per second. State officials said the dam was not at risk Sunday.

Recovery efforts were focused on ensuring streets would remain passable, something that could be hampered by the upcoming pineapple express-fueled storm expected to hit the Bay Area Wednesday and Thursday.

Upcoming storm likely to bring additional flooding, mudslides

While only light rain is forecast for Tuesday, the later storm is likely to be as powerful or more so than the New Year’s Eve Storm, the National Weather Service said, adding that it expects similar impacts on the area. Soils already saturated by last weekend's downpours will only intensify the new storm's impacts, forecasters said.

“Flood Watches have been posted across the Bay Area and much of NorCal Wednesday into Thursday with the next atmospheric river,” NWS Bay Area said.

Downpours will be heaviest late Wednesday into early Thursday and will be accompanied by strong winds. Scattered showers are expected to linger Thursday into early Friday.

NWS Bay Area said totals starting Tuesday night are expected to bring 4.5 to 6.5 inches in the Santa Lucia mountains and the Big Sur coast.

Coastal mountains in the North Bay are forecast for 4.5 to 6.5 inches, and the Santa Cruz Mountains and northern Monterey Bay will see 3.5 to 6 inches.

The interior North Bay is expected to get 2.75 to 5 inches. San Francisco, along with the East Bay and South Bay areas, are forecast for 1.5 to 3 inches.

A high wind warning has also been issued from 4 a.m. Wednesday through 10 a.m. Thursday. Strong wings with gusts of 35 to 55 miles per hour are expected, with stronger gusts in the mountains that could lead to downed trees and power lines. Rain is expected to continue throughout the weekend.

Loss of human life 'likely' forecaster says

One meteorologist even went so far as to say the storm could "likely result in the loss of human life.”

According to the article “Forecasters say mild weather Tuesday only the calm before major storm Wednesday” by Austin Turner of the East Bay Times, officials warned Bay Area residents to use Tuesday as a preparation day for a brutal storm

“To put it simply, this will likely be one of the most impactful systems on a widespread scale that this meteorologist has seen in a long while,” a National Weather Service report said Monday evening. “The impacts will include widespread flooding, roads washing out, hillsides collapsing, trees down, widespread power outages, immediate disruption to commerce, and the worst of all, likely loss of human life.

“This is truly a brutal system that we are looking at and needs to be taken seriously.”

NWS meteorologists told the East Bay Times Tuesday morning that while the upcoming storm could perhaps yield a little less rain than the New Year’s Eve weather event, vicious winds could create havoc throughout the region.

“If you were impacted by the New Year’s Eve storm, meaning if your property was flooded, there’s a good likelihood that the same creeks and streams that responded last time respond this time,” said NWS meteorologist Ryan Walbrun.

The NWS advised residents to make sure vehicles were gassed up in case of evacuation mandates, cell phones were charged, emergency alerts were activated and to prepare for potential power outages.

Livermore Police Department offers storm preparedness tips

"Starting tomorrow morning through Thursday afternoon, the National Weather Service is forecasting another major storm event Bay Area wide including Livermore with the risk level elevated to extreme," LPD said on its Facebook page. "That means the heavy rain, flooding and strong winds could threaten lives. The NWS is expecting similar impacts or even worse to this past weekend’s storm."

With a break in the rain, today is a day to prepare, LPD said in the posting which offered the following storm preparedness tips:

• Clear out any debris, leaves from storm drains in your neighborhood.
• Stay away from the creeks, Arroyos and adjacent trails as soils are already saturated and rapid rises in creeks/streams may cause severe flooding.
• High wind gusts/downed trees may cause power outages. Check food and water supplies, batteries, phone chargers, medications.
• Do not drive through flooded waters. Turn around, don’t drown. First responders spent most of the weekend helping stranded motorists. Stay safe.

For more information including resources and important phone numbers visit the city of Livermore's storm preparedness website here.

"City crews will continue to monitor the storm and conditions of the roads and will update the community as needed. Please adhere to the safety precautions. With your help, we can safely ride out the storm together," LPD said.

Sandbags still available

Livermore residents looking for sandbags can still find them prefilled at Zone 7 Water Agency at 100 North Canyons Parkway in Livermore. Self-serve sandbag stations are open at:

• Maintenance Service Center: 3500 Robertson Park Road.
• Fire Station 6: 4550 East Avenue.
• Fire Station 8: 5750 Scenic Avenue.

Since the city-run locations are self service, those looking to get sandbags should bring a shovel and someone to help, if needed.

" Sandbags are an effective way to prevent or reduce flood water damage on your property," the city said on its website.

Read more at the East Bay Times.

Bay City News contributed to this story.

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