Rain May Cause Roadway Floods As Bay Area Rivers, Creeks Rapidly Rise

BAY AREA, CA — Periods of moderate rainfall starting Tuesday and continuing through Thursday will bring the potential for moderate and rapid rises along Bay Area rivers, streams and creeks which could lead to nuisance flooding — especially in Sonoma County, the National Weather Service said.

Although most sites in the forecast area from Napa and Sonoma counties and south through Monterey and San Benito counties are forecast to remain below flood stage, some locations may reach the monitor stage, according to a hydrologic outlook hazardous weather statement for much of the Bay Area.

The creeks most likely to see moderate rises are located within Sonoma County and include Mark West, Green Valley and Laguna de Santa Rosa, forecasters said.

Localized ponding of water in low-lying or poorly drained areas, such as freeway offramps, is forecast. Rises in small streams and creeks are possible across the North Bay but major flooding is not expected.

"It is not a watch, warning or an advisory, it is a heads up that we are seeing rises on some small streams and waterways," said Alexis Clouser, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service San Francisco Bay Area. "At the time it continues to be focused in the North Bay region."

Through 4 a.m. Wednesday, the weather service expects 1-2 inches of rain in Sonoma County. From 4 a.m. Wednesday until 4 a.m. Thursday, 0.5 -1 inches of rain are forecast.

The rest of the Bay Area is forecast to receive anywhere from 0.25-1.5 inches of rain through Wednesday morning and another 0.5-1 inches of rain through Thursday morning.

Thunderstorm chances continue into Wednesday morning and if they do develop, rain totals could be much higher, the weather service said.

Wednesday into Thursday, the spots expected to receive the most rain are the southern exposures of the Santa Cruz and Santa Lucia mountains.

Thursday into Friday, the storm is expected to move into Southern California with lingering showers south of the Bay Area.

"Details regarding this storm will likely change as the system nears," the weather service said. "Therefore, stay tuned to the latest forecast for the most up-to-date weather information. Confidence is high that we will receive rainfall from this system. However, confidence is moderate with respect to location and total rainfall amounts."

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