The intensity of this week's atmospheric river storm has caused great damage across the North Bay, with roads flooded, trees knocked down and some without power.
The storm is expected to hit the rest of the region on Friday. Here's the latest storm-related issues reported in the Bay Area:
I-780 closed in Solano County due to flooding
The onramp and offramp at Military West to westbound Interstate Highway 780, in Benicia, remained closed on Saturday as of 1:30 p.m. because of flooding.
The California Highway Patrol said on X that the onramp was closed Saturday morning at about 9:45 a.m.
CHP later said Caltrans crews were having difficulty unclogging the drains on the ramps and had no estimated time for reopening.
The Bay Area was struck by an atmospheric river rainstorm on Friday that left several inches of rain in some places, including about 2 inches around Interstate Highway 780 on Friday.
--Bay City News
Driver dead after vehicle found submerged in water in Sonoma County
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Authorities are investigating after a person was found dead inside a vehicle in Guerneville on Saturday morning.
At around 11:30 a.m., a caller reported to the Sonoma County dispatch and saw a vehicle into the floodwaters near Mays Canyon Road and Highway 116.
Rescue crews arrived and found the vehicle. The person inside the vehicle was found dead. The victim’s identity was not released.
We have the latest details here.
Fallen tree blocking traffic on Foothill Expressway in Los Altos
A fallen tree on Foothill Expressway in Los Altos was slowing traffic in both directions at the Loyola Bridge on Saturday morning.
Los Altos police asked drivers to avoid the area and use alternate routes in an advisory at 9:26 a.m.
Public works crews were on scene at the bridge at Loyola Drive and A Street clearing the tree at the time of the police advisory.
--Bay City News
Flood advisory remains in Sonoma County
The National Weather Service posted on Saturday that a flood warning remained in effect for the Russian River with a flood advisory for the Green Valley Creek and Laguna De Santa Rosa. But they added it would improve on Saturday afternoon.
Outages reported in Bay Area due to storm
Several parts of the region are without power due to the storm.
As of 3:21 p.m. Friday, PG&E reports nearly 8,000 customers are without power. Here's a breakdown by region:
- San Francisco: 480
- Peninsula: 5,069
- East Bay: 1,850
- South Bay: 25
- North Bay: 557
For the latest updates, view PG&E's outage map.
Flight delays reported at Oakland and San Francisco airports
Flight Aware, a flight tracking website, reports dozens of flights have been canceled and hundreds of others are delayed at San Francisco International Airport.
As of Friday afternoon, Flight Aware reports 452 flights have been delayed and 56 canceled.
Meanwhile, Flight Aware reports at least 40 flights were delayed Friday at the Oakland International Airport.
Downed trees and flooding reported in San Rafael
Police in San Rafael are working with city crews to clear a large tree that fell on Las Gallinas Avenue near Las Colindas Avenue.
THE RAIN IS NOT THE ONLY THING COMING DOWN:
— San Rafael Police Department (@SanRafaelPolice) November 22, 2024
As the rainy weather continues, San Rafael Public Works and SRPD personnel are responding to calls about trees coming down and some minor street flooding.
Right now, SRPD officers are assisting with traffic control on Las Gallinas… pic.twitter.com/EvztHFJc9n
Mudslides shut down Silverado Trail in Napa County
Here's information provided by Bay City News: The California Highway Patrol said at 2:10 p.m. Friday that mudslides have closed the Silverado Trail roadway in Napa County.
The road is closed from Oak Knoll Avenue to Yountville Cross Road. The CHP said travelers should use state Highway 29 to get north and south in the Napa Valley.
Flooding reported at UC Berkeley
UC Berkeley officials issued the following warning on Friday afternoon:
"The intersection of Centennial Drive and Stadium Rim Way is experiencing severe flooding in the roadway. UCPD and Facilities Services are working to clear the flooding. The intersection and connecting roadways will be closed for the immediate future until the flooding can be cleared."
Oakland and San Francisco zoos closed Friday due to rain
The Oakland Zoo said it will be closed Friday due to the storm and anyone who had reservation will be automatically refunded.
Friday night's Glowfari event has also been canceled.
The San Francisco Zoo also said it will be closed Friday due to the weather.
Flooding shuts down streets in Rohnert Park
Officials in Rohnert Park released a list on Friday afternoon of areas impacted by flooding. The following areas are closed or will be closed soon:
- Redwood/Martin (near Costco)
- Eastbound Golf Course Drive just east of Walmart neighborhood
- Commerce/Enterprise
- Commerce/Hunter
- Heartwood Drive and the courts off Heartwood
- Hudis Street including Hahn Elementary
- Elsa/Evelyn
Safari West temporarily shuts down due to storm conditions
Safari West in Santa Rosa issued the following update on Friday:
"Safari West is temporarily closed to the public due to severe weather conditions impacting Porter Creek Road. Despite these challenges, we are deeply grateful to share that all of our animals are safe, well-cared for, and in good health.
We anticipate reopening tomorrow, Saturday, November 23rd, as the forecast calls for light showers and clearing. We look forward to welcoming guests back to Safari West to experience its wonders."
Sonoma County schools closed due to expected flooding from storm
The Sonoma County Office of Education reports the following school districts are closing schools Friday due to the storm and expected flooding. Here's a list of impacted school districts and campuses closed:
- Cinnabar: All schools due to a burst pipe on school campus
- Cotati-Rohnert Park Unified: Credo High School closed
- Forestville Union: Forestville Academy and Forestville School are closed
- Fort Ross Elementary: All schools closed
- Geyserville Unified: All schools closed
- Guerneville: All schools closed
- Horicon: All schools closed
- Kashia: All schools closed
- Monte Rio Union: All schools
- Montgomery Elementary: Montgomery School is closed
- Piner-Olivet Union: Northwest Prep at Piner-Olivet is closed, Olivet Elementary Charter School is closed
- West Sonoma County High: All schools closed
Portion of Highway 175 closed due to flooding
Heads up if you're traveling to Mendocino County. Here's a report from Bay City News about Highway 175 shut down due to flooding:
A portion of state Highway 175 is closed in Hopland due to flooding Friday, said Caltrans.
Highway 175 is closed from its junction with U.S. Highway 101 to McDowell Street in Hopland. This includes the highway's intersection with Old River Road south of Hopland.
The closure comes as an atmospheric river blankets the area. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Russian River reached its flood stage of 15 feet early Friday morning, resulting in flooding of the highway, nearby vineyards and private properties.
No estimated time of reopening has been provided by Caltrans. Drivers should seek alternate routes.
Caltrans asks motorists to track current road conditions or by calling 800-427-7623.
Check back for more updates throughout the day.
