Evacuations ordered amid heavy Northern California rain

[nitpicker]

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/flood-fears-renewed-california-braces-storm-45605142

Evacuations ordered amid heavy Northern California rain

By kristin j, bender, associated press

·SAN FRANCISCO — Feb 21, 2017, 12:30 AM ET

Evacuations were ordered in Northern California on Monday and flash-flood warnings were issued elsewhere as downpours swelled creeks and rivers to potentially dangerous levels in the already soggy region.

A levee break along the San Joaquin River prompted an evacuation order for about 500 people living in mainly ranch and farmlands near Manteca, San Joaquin County authorities said. Crews worked Monday night to patch the breach, which followed an earlier warning that the river was approaching the top of levees and could remain at that level for four days.
(snip)

In Monterey County, people living along a section of the Carmel River were told to leave, as were those in a neighborhood of Salinas near Santa Rita Creek and a few people in rural Royal Oaks, where a mudslide encroached on a home.

In Lake County, northwest of Sacramento, about 100 homes in two mobile home parks and nearby streets were ordered evacuated because nearby Clear Lake was a foot above flood stage, county Sheriff Brian Martin said. More homes could be placed under evacuation order along the 75-mile shoreline as the water slowly rises, Martin said.
(snip)

Meanwhile, about 2,000 people in the remote community of Spring Valley were blocked in because one of two entrance roads to the hamlet washed away and mudslides closed the other, Martin said.
(snip)

The Carmel River, which has flooded several times in the past month, was expected to rise to nearly 11 feet by Tuesday, which would be a moderate flood stage, while the Salinas River near Spreckels could reach nearly to the moderate flood stage of 26 feet by Tuesday night, which could inundate the Monterey-Salinas Highway, the Monterey Herald reported (http://bit.ly/2kSYbU1). The Big Sur River reached its moderate flood stage of 10 feet Monday morning and was expected to crest at 12 feet, the paper reported.
(snip)

[nitpicker]

1. The latest from NWS

http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/total_forecast/getprod.php?prod=XXXAFDSTO&wfo=STO

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Sacramento CA
858 PM PST Mon Feb 20 2017

.Synopsis...

Significant flooding concerns this week as heavy rain will add
stress to waterways. Wettest and windiest period expected into
Tuesday morning. Strong winds will cause numerous downed trees
and power outages. Mountain communities and travel will be
impacted with heavy snow and mudslides. Valley thunderstorms
possible Tuesday and Wednesday.
(snip)

Snow continues to come down at a heavy clip in the mountains.
Snow level was near 6000 feet but may briefly rise slightly this
evening before lowering towards midnight and beyond. Heavy amounts
of snow is expected during the heaviest time period tonight and
in the morning.

Flooding continues to be an issue. One levee break so far along
the San Joaquin River southwest of Manteca on the east side of
the levee. A number of small river and creek`s are beginning to
reach bank full and may become an issue for some locations
overnight. A number of mudslides have been reported as well and
may continue to be an issue overnight. Rain within the valley will
continue to transition to showers overnight but the upslope areas
in the mountains will take longer and transition late tonight and
Tuesday morning. Slight chances of thunderstorms overnight for
the Sacramento Valley and adjacent foothills. Thunderstorms may
become an bigger issue over the Sacramento Valley for Tuesday
afternoon.

There is currently a line with very heavy rain moving
over the north end of the valley that may bring some
localized flooding.

.Previous Discussion (Today through Thursday)...

Current water vapor imagery and satellite derived winds show a
strong jet stream advecting moisture into northern California
ahead of a trough of low pressure. Radar trends show a widespread
area of light to heavy precipitation occurring across the forecast
area. Gusty southwest winds were occurring for the north and
central Sacramento Valley up to 40 mph at times.

Forecast concerns for this period include flooding for the entire
area, including flash flooding for locations south of the I-80
corridor. Heavy snow and high winds with gusts greater than 70
mph for higher terrain is also a concern, including damaging wind
gusts between 55 and 65 mph for the valley and foothills.
Thunderstorms are possible with increased instability tonight and
Tuesday. Latest short term model forecast guidance has suggested
an area of excessive rainfall for locations south of the
Interstate 80 corridor in an area of enhanced orographic lift this
afternoon through tonight, so a flash flooding threat with
landslides is increased through tonight.

Heavy snowfall for the Sierra will continue through tonight as
snow levels drop overnight and Tuesday. One to two feet of snow is
expected for Donner and Echo Passes with 3 to 4 feet of new snow
for passes south of Highway 50. Up to 5 feet can be expected for
the highest elevations above pass level through Tuesday.
(snip)

[Cooley Hurd]

2. Christ, that sounds apocalyptic!

Stay safe Northern Californians...

[nikibatts]

3. Best vibes, prayers, and hope for the people affected.