Heavy rain and powerful winds from an atmospheric river pounded the North Bay Wednesday, causing isolated power outages.
In Novato, the wind knocked out power to 1,600 PG&E customers near Hanna Ranch Road but only for about 90 minutes. Crews from the Novato Fire Protection District blocked off the area to traffic while PG&E repaired the broken equipment.
"We have crews and equipment prepared and positioned to respond," said Dave Canny, PG&E vice president in the North Coast region.
On Center Road in Novato, a small branch briefly cut power for over 1,200 residents. Most got their power back in under two hours.
"We've seen gusts in the greater Bay Area pushing 50 mph," Canny said. "So far our system is holding up well."
In the town of Fairfax, Erick Betancourt was trying to avoid another flood. He lives on the lower end of a hill, where the storm drains tend to clog with debris.
Last winter, he said rain and debris flooded his house up to his knees for the third time.
"This year, I was like, 'OK, I'm going to do as much as I can,'" he said. "I had to rebuild retaining walls, fix some of the stuff under the house. Hopefully this is enough."
Meanwhile, four public elementary schools were closed Wednesday in Sonoma County due to the severe weather.
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Just north of Novato, residents in Santa Rosa are dealing with flooded streets and parking lots tat resemble lakes.
"A concern is soil saturation afterward will bring down trees, and it also increases the potential for ponding in roadways," said Chief Paul Lowenthal of Santa Rosa Fire.
Officials are advising people to clear their rain gutters and check their drainage due to more rain,
Separately, parts of Napa County were hammered with rain.
Rivers and creeks in the county saw water levels increased by two to three feet, but are still a ways out from spilling over their banks. Sulfur Creek still has to rise more than 11 feet for moderate flooding and more than 13 feet for major flooding.
Napa County emergency responders said they are expected to be busy over the next few days.
