bay area storm

Bay Area storm updates: Roads flooded, downed trees, flight delays, outages

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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:

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.

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."

The atmospheric river has been hitting parts of the North Bay, but cities on both sides of the Bay Bridge were hit hard on Friday. Gia Vang has the details.

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.

Parts of the East Bay were hammered with rain and strong winds on Friday. Due to the storm hitting the Bay Area, some power outages occurred in Walnut Creek. Scott Budman has the latest details. 

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.

Chief Meteorologist Jeff Ranieri tracks the storm that slammed the Bay Area and what’s ahead this weekend in your 7 day Microclimate Forecast.
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