Mendocino County Watches and Warnings + NWS Update

The following is a quick update on weather and conditions within Mendocino County. Another update should be issued later this morning following a conference call with the National Weather Service and other Operational Area partners.
 
Watches and Warnings Currently in Affect
 
Currently Mendocino County is under a flood watch and flood warning in overlapping areas of the County. The flood watch is for the entire county and warns of ponding of water, flooding in low laying areas with poor drainage and the potential for rock and landslides. The flood warning is currently in affect for the Navarro River, which is expected to exceed flood stage today. If you are interested you can read the full watch and warning at the following links:
 
Watch: http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/warnings.php?wfo=eka&pil=XXXFFAEKA&zone=caz111&productType=Flood%20Watch
Warning: http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/warnings.php?wfo=eka&pil=XXXFLSEKA&zone=cac045&productType=Flood%20Warning
 
Rivers
 
Navarro River: The Navarro River is currently forecasted to reach flood stage (23 feet) between 4pm and 5pm today and continue to rise. It is forecasted to peak at 29.8 feet (just under moderate flood stage at 30 ft) around 11 pm today or 12 am early Friday morning. According to the National Weather Service (NWS) at 30 feet "water will flow over the south bank of the river approximately 1 mile east of Highway 1, and begin to flood property in this area including six homes. Expect closure of Highway 128. Motorists should use alternative routes." Mendocino OES has made notification to homes along Navarro River Road that flooding is likely and may impact their homes.
 
Russian River: Late yesterday the NWS increased the forecast of the Russian River in Hopland. The Russian River is now forecasted to exceed flood monitor stage (18 feet) and peak at 20.8 feet which is just below minor flood stage (21 feet). According to the NWS at 21 feet there will be "minor flooding of cropland begins along the right bank near Hopland. Highway 175 near the Russian River likely closed due to flooding."
 
Garcia River: Currently the Garcia River is at 12.2 feet. There is not currently updated forecast information available for the Garcia River. However, we are starting to get close to the point where closure of Highway 1 is possible. If the river level continues to rise it will be likely that Highway 1 could close today.     
 
Weather Precipitation
 
The NWS has provided the following 24 hours precipitation totals for the County. These totals were last updated at 7am this morning.
Laytonville: 2.98 in
Willits: 2.40 in
Boonville: 1.82 in
Ukiah: 1.17 in




Flood Warning


FLOOD STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE EUREKA, CA
927 PM PST WED DEC 14 2016

...The flood warning continues for the following rivers in
California..

  Navarro River At Navarro affecting Mendocino County
  Eel River At Fernbridge affecting Humboldt County
  Van Duzen River Near Bridgeville affecting Humboldt County

A frontal system will bring periods of moderate to heavy rain tonight
through Thursday afternoon. This will cause a rapid and steep rise on the
lower Eel River, Van Duzen River, and Navarro River. Forecast rainfall
amounts of 3 to 4 inches in the lower Eel River Basin, 4 to 5 inches in
the Van Duzen River Basin, and 3 to 4 inches in the Navarro River Basin
will result in rivers exceeding their banks.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS..

Do not drive your car across flooded roadways. It only takes about
two feet of water to float most vehicles. For area road conditions..
call CALTRANS at 1-800-427-7623