A slow-moving atmospheric river that soaked already saturated soil during the first half of the workweek has caused a North Bay river to soar above flood stage and beyond, forcing scores of people to flee their homes and businesses in search of higher ground. Jessica Aguirre, Sam Brock and Jeff Ranieri report.
A slow-moving atmospheric river that soaked already saturated soil during the first half of the workweek has caused a large North Bay river to soar above flood stage and beyond, forcing scores of people to flee their homes and businesses in search of higher ground.
Drone video shows flooding in Guerneville, Sonoma County.
The rising Russian River at Guerneville, which has already crossed above the "major" flooding mark of 40 feet, is slated to crest at 46 feet late Wednesday evening, according to weather officials. That predicted crest level at Guerneville, a small Sonoma County community consisting of about 4,500 people, would be the highest the area has seen since 1995 and sixth highest on record.
"Guerneville is officially an island," the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office wrote on Facebook Wednesday morning. "Due to flooding all roads leading to the community are impassable. You will not be able to get into or out of town without a boat today."
"Everything is under water, restaurants, all the rooms, the bar, the office," Hotel R3 employee in Guerneville Luis Lowenbery said. "Everybody was evacuated yesterday afternoon because we knew it was going to come in but we weren't expecting to come in last night around 11."
Luis Lowenbery, an employee at Hotel R3 in Guerneville, told NBC Bay Area that the entire ground floor of the hotel was under water Wednesday afternoon. Lowenbery said he's stuck on the property but is able to stay dry on the second floor.
"Everything is under water, restaurant, all the rooms, the bar, everything, the offices," Lowenbery said. "Everybody was evacuated [Tuesday] afternoon because we knew it was going to come in but we weren't expecting [the water] to come in last night around 11."
Sonoma County officials have declared a local emergency due to the devastating flooding in parts of the county that has forced residents from their homes.
Sonoma County Flood Map
Sonoma County officials recommended evacuating areas near the Russian River before expected flooding at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 26.
People in communities situated up and down the Russian River were ordered to evacuate Tuesday. Those who have fled their homes and businesses could be in a holding pattern until late Thursday evening when the river is expected to drop below flood stage.
Residents who can't evacuate are advised to shelter in place, said Rohish Lal, a Sonoma County spokesperson. About 55 people stayed at the evacuation center in Santa Rosa Tuesday night and 25 people arrived at the evacuation location in Sebastopol, Lal said.
Sonoma County officials have declared a local emergency due to flooding from the Russian River.
In addition to the Russian River at Guerneville, at least two other spots in Sonoma County — the Russian River at Digger Bend near Healdsburg and Mark West Creek near Mirabel Heights — remain in "major" flooding territory as of Wednesday afternoon.
Across the North Bay in Napa County, the Napa River near Napa appeared to crest at 26.47 feet — about 1.5 feet below the "major" flooding classification — Wednesday morning, according to weather officials. That section of river is expected to drop below flood stage by Wednesday afternoon.
Chris Jewett
This little pup is getting around by kayak u2014 just like everyone else in Guerneville.
POLICÍA DE BROWNSVILLE
Kayak and canoe are the preferred modes in downtown Guerneville Thursday.
Waters are receding in some parts of Guerneville, but they are still over 6 feet in some residential areas.
The nearby town of Monte Rio is also flooded.
Chris Jewett/NBC Bay Area
Drone shot near the Farmhouse Inn just East of Hacienda in Guerneville along the flooded Russian River.
Chris Jewett/NBC Bay Area
Drone shot near the Farmhouse Inn just East of Hacienda in Guerneville along the flooded Russian River.
Chris Jewett/NBC Bay Area
Drone shot near the Farmhouse Inn just East of Hacienda in Guerneville along the flooded Russian River.
Chris Jewett/NBC Bay Area
Drone shot near the Farmhouse Inn just East of Hacienda in Guerneville along the flooded Russian River.
Chris Jewett/NBC Bay Area
Drivers turned back at Occidental Road, west of Santa Rosa in Sonoma County. The Russian River has crested its banks and is swallowing vineyards and roads here.(Feb. 27, 2019)
Chris Jewett/NBC Bay Area
Flooding from the Russian River near Santa Rosa in Sonoma County. (Feb. 27, 2019)
Chris Jewett/NBC Bay Area
Roads are closed near Santa Rosa due to flooding after the Russian River crested. (Feb. 27, 2019)
Berlin Bad Boy of Beauty
Flooding in Guerneville. (Feb. 27, 2019)
Berlin Bad Boy of Beauty
Flooding in Guerneville. (Feb. 27, 2019)
Both directions of state Highway 37 in unincorporated Marin County were closed due to roadway flooding, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Telemundo 48
Both directions of state Highway 37 in unincorporated Marin County were closed due to roadway flooding, according to the California Highway Patrol.
NBC Bay Area
A truck is stuck along a flooded Highway 37 in the North Bay. (Feb. 27, 2019)
Sonoma County Sheriff's Office
Sonoma County Sheriff's Office posted this photo of the rising water on Tuesday.
Sonoma County Sheriff's Office
Photo from Monte Rio Bridge shows the Russian River.
Sonoma County Sheriff's Office
EMPTY_CAPTION"Russian River keeps rising," said the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office.
Olema Creek in the North Bay on Monday (left) compared to the Tuesday (right).
Berlin Bad Boy of Beauty
Flooding in Guerneville. (Feb. 27, 2019)
Chris Jewett/NBC Bay Area
Vineyards near Santa Rosa are flooded after the Russian River in Sonoma County crested. (Feb. 27, 2019)
Chris Jewett/NBC Bay Area
Flood waters from the Russian River inundate Guerneville in Sonoma County. (Feb. 27, 2019)
Chris Jewett/NBC Bay Area
Flood waters from the Russian River inundate Guerneville in Sonoma County. (Feb. 27, 2019)
Chris Jewett/NBC Bay Area
Flood waters from the Russian River inundate Guerneville in Sonoma County. (Feb. 27, 2019)
Chris Jewett/NBC Bay Area
Flood waters from the Russian River inundate Guerneville in Sonoma County. (Feb. 27, 2019)
Chris Jewett/NBC Bay Area
Flood waters from the Russian River inundate Guerneville in Sonoma County. (Feb. 27, 2019)
Chris Jewett/NBC Bay Area
Flood waters from the Russian River inundate Guerneville in Sonoma County. (Feb. 27, 2019)
Chris Jewett/NBC Bay Area
Flood waters from the Russian River inundate Guerneville in Sonoma County. (Feb. 27, 2019)
Water floods the neighborhood in Rio Nido, just north of the Russian River.
Water floods the neighborhood in Rio Nido, just north of the Russian River.
Water floods the neighborhood in Rio Nido, just north of the Russian River.
Water floods the neighborhood in Rio Nido, just north of the Russian River.
Flooding in downtown Sebastopol on Wednesday.
A man and a dog were rescued in Yountville near the Napa River on Wednesday.
Beth/Eric Wolfe
EMPTY_CAPTION"It has never gotten this far into the vineyard." Beth and Eric Wolfe's vineyard on First Avenue in Napa sees some flooding on Wednesday.
Silverado Trail in Napa flooded Wednesday.
Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in Sonoma County Thursday, because of the Russian River flooding.
Russian River recedes after flooding 2,000 buildings in Guerneville and Monte Rio.
Russian River recedes after flooding 2,000 buildings in Guerneville and Monte Rio.
Russian River recedes after flooding 2,000 buildings in Guerneville and Monte Rio.
Russian River recedes after flooding 2,000 buildings in Guerneville and Monte Rio.
Russian River recedes after flooding 2,000 buildings in Guerneville and Monte Rio.
Russian River recedes after flooding 2,000 buildings in Guerneville and Monte Rio.
Russian River recedes after flooding 2,000 buildings in Guerneville and Monte Rio.
Rivers and streams across the waterlogged North Bay rose rapidly since the start of the week due to relentless downpours and runoff.
Since the storm arrived, the small community of Venado in Sonoma County picked up 21.56 inches of rainfall, according to the National Weather Service. Nearby Cazadero recorded 11.70 inches. Santa Rosa collected 7.84 inches.
While the heaviest rain has passed through the Bay Area, lingering showers will hang around through Wednesday, according to the weather service.
