More Storms Looming In San Ramon As School Restarts

SAN RAMON, CA — After a brief pause, a relentless parade of atmospheric river-fueled storms is expected to bring another impactful storm to San Ramon 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 San Ramon, a total of 2.85 inches are predicted from Saturday to Tuesday. The majority of that is expected to fall on Monday, when 1.83 inches of rain are expected to fall over 11.5 hours, and winds will reach up to 31 mph.

San Ramon remains under a Flood Watch until Tuesday at 4 p.m., and a Wind Advisory until Sunday at 1 p.m.

San Ramon students are scheduled to return to school Tuesday, when a 0.69 inches are expected to accumulate over the course of 8.5 hours, and winds are expected to reach 24 mph.

SRVUSD spokesperson Ilana Samuels said that the Contra Costa County Office of Emergency Services does not anticipate the need to close any of its schools. “That being said, we of course are permitted to make our own decision to go virtual/close a school or schools if warranted. At this time, we do not anticipate doing that,” she wrote in an email. “We will of course continue to keep a close watch on the situation. Our SRVUSD Maintenance and Custodial teams have been working hard through all of these recent storms to ensure our schools buildings and property stay dry with no leaks.”

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.

To report clogged storm drains, downed trees, or flooding call 925-973-2800 (M-F, 8:30-5) or the San Ramon Valley 911 Communication Center at 925-973-2779 after hours. Sandbags are available at three locations. Residents and businesses are asked to bring a shovel:

• Athan Downs, Montevideo Drive near San Ramon Valley Blvd.
• Central Park, Alcosta Blvd. adjacent to the San Ramon Community Center
• San Ramon Sports Park, Sherwood Way

A full list of storm preparation tips are available here and at Be Ready SRV, an emergency preparedness collaboration between the Town of Danville, the City of San Ramon, San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District, Contra Costa County, and the San Ramon Valley Unified School District. San Ramon residents can also contact the following numbers:

NON-EMERGENCY

• San Ramon Police: 925-973-2779
• Danville Police: 925-820-2144
• San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District: 925-838-6691

OTHER RESOURCES:

• Contra Costa Animal Services: 925-335-8300
• PG&E: 1-800-743-5000 San Ramon Regional Medical Center: 925-275-9200
• EBMUD: 866-403-2683

— Patch editor Gideon Rubin contributed to this report.