State Of Emergency Declared Ahead Of Powerful Storm For San Mateo Co.

SAN MATEO COUNTY, CA — San Mateo County on Tuesday declared a state of emergency and activated its Emergency Operations Center ahead of a powerful atmospheric river-fueled storm that’s expected to arrive in the Bay Area later this week.

The entire Bay Area will be under a flood watch beginning Wednesday due to a heavy storm system expected to be as bad or worse than Saturday's deluge and which will likely result in the loss of human life, according to a dire forecast update from the National Weather Service.

The update issued Monday afternoon includes five key points, with the first one noting a "threat to life likely during this storm." Mudslides are anticipated due to saturated soil, and rapidly rising creeks and streams will pose additional dangers.

A meteorologist shared the following observations in the forecast about the coming 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.

The impacts will include widespread flooding, roads washing out, hillside collapsing, trees down (potentially full groves), 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."

The forecast includes an updated threat matrix it classifies as "extreme risk" for conditions expected Wednesday and Thursday, including increased wind gusts, a flood watch that now includes the entire Bay Area and an added forecast Friday through Sunday after the big storm for roughly 1-2 inches of rain in most areas.

Wednesday through Thursday morning will be the worst of the storm, with heavy rain and strong winds with gusts of 35-55 mph in most areas, with stronger gusts at higher elevations.

“These storms have already displaced some residents and caused damage. It is important we have a coordinated response to prioritize public safety, especially for those who reside in areas more prone to flooding,” County Executive Mike Callagy said in a statement.

Callagy, who also serves as the County’s Director of Emergency Services, signed the disaster proclamation and the Board of Supervisors ratified it this morning.

The atmospheric river throughout New Year’s Eve weekend brought unprecedented rainfall levels in some areas, including approximately 5.8 inches in the 24-hour period beginning early on New Year’s Eve Day.

— Bay City News contributed to this report