Updates from Across the Region in the Wake of the Recent Storm

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Rising flood water makes its way onto River Road Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019, in Forestville, Calif. A river in Northern California's wine country has reached flood stage and forecasters expect it to rise even more as a winter storm lashes the region. The National Weather Service says the Russian River in Sonoma County topped 32 feet Tuesday evening and it could crest at more than 46 feet by Wednesday night. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)

 

Chairman of the Board, Supervisor David Rabbitt, shares an update on what the Emergency Operations Center learned from last night’s storm, how many people actually evacuated once the mandatory evacuation was announced yesterday, the status of our local creeks and streams, and the cleanup that is going to have to be addressed once the rainfall tapers off from the area:

 

 

A vineyard along River Road is flooded Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019, near Forestville, Calif. A river in Northern California’s wine country has reached flood stage and forecasters expect it to rise even more as a winter storm lashes the region. The National Weather Service says the Russian River in Sonoma County topped 32 feet Tuesday evening and it could crest at more than 46 feet by Wednesday night. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)

 

Monte Rio Fire Chief Steve Baxman describes how the Russian River area is fairing in the small cities in the region, the flooding that’s affecting travel in the entire region, the status of the businesses in downtown Guerneville, whether people are heeding the call to evacuate due to the rising levels of the Russian River, how long he expects the evacuations to continue, and what sort of assistance their department is receiving in the area, and how this storm compares to major rain storms of the past, and how long it usually takes for the water to recede and the cleanup to begin:

 

 

Rising flood water makes its way past a marker and into a vineyard Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019, near Forestville, Calif. A river in Northern California’s wine country has reached flood stage and forecasters expect it to rise even more as a winter storm lashes the region. The National Weather Service says the Russian River in Sonoma County topped 32 feet Tuesday evening and it could crest at more than 46 feet by Wednesday night. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)

 

West County Supervisor, Lynda Hopkins, shares the current status of the Russian River and the road closures in the region, all of the agencies joining together to help with this emergency situation, the worry over the rivers and area homes dealing with flooding and mudslide issues, how every additional foot of water in the Russian River could devastate Guerneville, the forthcoming issue of debris removal once the water has receded, and how many of the Russian River residents evacuated when the mandatory notice was announced on Tuesday:

 

 

The flooded Surrey Resort fills with water as the Russian River flows through it in Guerneville, Calif., Friday, Feb. 15, 2019. Streets and low-lying areas flooded as the Russian River swelled above its banks Friday. (AP Photo/Josh Edelson)

 

Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Spencer Crum provides an update on the Guerneville evacuations and flooding, the preparation for the Russian River crest approaching tonight, whether there are enough resources available to help in the area, what the Russian River region looks like this morning, and final thoughts on flooding and traffic issues:

 

 

A vineyard along River Road is completely flooded Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019, near Forestville, Calif. A river in Northern California’s wine country has reached flood stage and forecasters expect it to rise even more as a winter storm lashes the region. The National Weather Service says the Russian River in Sonoma County topped 32 feet Tuesday evening and it could crest at more than 46 feet by Wednesday night. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)

 

PG&E Spokesperson Deanna Contreras shares an update on the current power outages, the wind, rain and mudslides affecting power service, why there haven’t been text updates, and the issue of access to areas without power due to flooding and debris:

 

 

A group of men walk by a stranded car in flood water outside the Farmhouse Inn Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019, in Forestville, Calif. The National Weather Service says the Russian River in Sonoma County topped 32 feet Tuesday evening and it could crest at more than 46 feet by Wednesday night. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)

 

Santa Rosa Mayor Tom Schwedhelm explains why the Santa Rosa City Council meeting was cancelled, what he has heard from residents in the community, shares an update on the water treatment plant at Llano Road in Santa Rosa, and when the items on last night’s meeting will be addressed:

 

 

A vineyard along River Road is flooded Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019, near Forestville, Calif. A river in Northern California’s wine country has reached flood stage and forecasters expect it to rise even more as a winter storm lashes the region. The National Weather Service says the Russian River in Sonoma County topped 32 feet Tuesday evening and it could crest at more than 46 feet by Wednesday night. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)

 

Owner of Guerneville’s Smart Pizza, Suzie Kuhn, reports from her home in Rio Nido regarding the impact of the recent storm, what the cresting of the Russian River could do to her restaurant, the comparison between this flood and past floods in the region, how long does she expect to be stuck at her home, the bonding that occurs in the Russian River community during times like these, and when she believes she might reopen:

 

 

Jay Michael Tucker kayaks through the flooded Surrey Resort as the Russian River flows through it in Guerneville, Calif., Friday, Feb. 15, 2019. Streets and low-lying areas flooded as the Russian River swelled above its banks Friday. (AP Photo/Josh Edelson)

 

Supervisor James Gore shares how he and his family prepared to evacuate yesterday from his home in southern Healdsburg, provides an update on the Russian and Healdsburg Rivers, the biggest concern when it comes to approaching storms Friday and next Tuesday, and how the releasing of water our local reservoirs helps with flooding:

 

 

A man kayaks down the Russian River in Guerneville, Calif., on Friday, Feb. 15, 2019. Streets and low-lying areas flooded as the Russian River swelled above it’s banks Friday. (AP Photo/Josh Edelson)

 

And finally, Mike Malley from the National Weather Service provides an update on both the Russian and Healdsburg Rivers, when he believes the Russian River will crest tonight, shares updated rain accumulation for the area, and when we can expect more rain: