More Storms Looming In Livermore As School Restarts

LIVERMORE, CA — After a brief pause, a relentless parade of atmospheric river-fueled storms is expected to bring another impactful storm to Livermore this weekend.

The National Weather Service issued an advisory Thursday ahead of a new series of storms that's likely to bring more staggering precipitation numbers to a region that's already soaked. The next wave of storms is estimated to continue through Jan. 19, according to the NWS.

Most of the Bay Area is expected to receive between 2 to 3 inches of rain between Saturday and Tuesday with hills likely to get 3 to 6 inches.

In Livermore, a total of 2.9 inches are predicted from Saturday to Tuesday. The majority of that is expected to fall on Monday, when 2.26 inches of rain are expected to fall over 12 hours, and winds will reach up to 45 mph.

Livermore remains under a Flood Watch until Tuesday at 4 p.m., and a Wind Advisory until Sunday at 1 p.m. The city has also declared a Local Emergency until Wednesday.

LVJUSD students are scheduled to return to school Monday, during the most intense storm.

In a message to families sent Friday, LVJUSD leadership said that it is "pleased to report that conditions at all school sites are stable and we are prepared to resume regular, in-person instruction on Monday."

"We do not anticipate that weather conditions for the coming week will result in a district wide closure or transition to remote learning. In the event that conditions cause a school site to alter regular instruction, families will be notified via our mass messaging system by text, email and/or phone," the district said. "We will do our best to notify families of any changes as soon as possible in those instances. Outdoor athletic competitions and practices may be altered this week in response to weather conditions. Look for communication from athletic directors and coaches for any changes."

The district also said its maintenance team has worked to clear drains and debris and assess the readiness of facilities, which it will continue to do throughout the week. The district recommended allowing extra time for commutes.

The new series of storms follows an atmospheric river-fueled “bomb cyclone” earlier this week that killed at least two people including a toddler and caused widespread flooding and property damage throughout the Bay Area. Winds associated with the storm topped out at 85 mph in Marin County.

“As the overall wet pattern remains locked in place over the West Coast, the next surge of moisture to move inland is forecast to enter northern California and southwest Oregon late Friday,” the NWS advisory said.

“Rainfall could become hazardous and lead to scattered instances of flash flooding over the coastal ranges of northern California. The consistent stream of moisture being funneled out of the tropical Pacific will continue into Saturday and gradually expand into more central portions of the state.”

The pattern is likely to persist beyond the seven-day projection for an additional seven-day period in which “several more impactful atmospheric river events are expected,” the NWS bulletin said.

Sandbag stations are being replenished 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.

Do you have stories or photos from the storm? Email michael.wittner@patch.com.

— Patch editor Gideon Rubin contributed to this report.