Residents of the Emerald Triangle are hunkering down this morning as the anticipated atmospheric river as 1’’-5’’ of rain has fallen on the parched earth.
A precipitation map from the National Weather Service in Eureka describes Mendocino County experiencing between 3-4 inches of rain in the last 24 hours in some locations. There are small sections of the precipitation map that indicate rain amounts could have gotten near 5’’.
The southern ends of both Humboldt County and Trinity County are experiencing similar totals but the storm’s saturation is diminishing in the northern reaches of those counties.
Multiple localized power outages are currently affecting Mendocino County residents, the most significant of which is affecting Comptche proper and areas north and south where approximately 296 residents are without power.
More localized power outages are affecting residents in Fort Bragg, along Highway 20, in Willits, a series of residences southwest of Hendy Woods State Park, and multiple others.
Roadway flooding on Perkins Street in Ukiah [Picture from Christopher Gourley] 
Eastside Road in Potter Valley [Photograph from Jarred Rice] 
A rising creek near Willits’s Commerical Street [Picture by Colleen Pappadakis] 
The Russian River from the Calpella Bridge in the area of the Hopkins Fire burn scar [Photograph from Renee Hoel]
The Ukiah Valley Fire Authority has reported on their Facebook page that that streams, creeks, and the Russian River are rising and fire personnel actually had to conduct a water rescue this morning for a man walking his dog.
As of 9:31 a.m., a mudslide has reportedly closed Marina Drive near the intersection with Eastside Calpella Road. This is the area near the origin and burn scar of the Hopkins Fire.
As of 9:34 a.m., there is reportedly large rocks blocking the eastbound lane of Highway 175 block traffic.
Robinson Creek Road off of Highway 253 is currently impassible due to a large boulder blocking the roadway. Mendocino County Sheriff Matt Kendall sent us this image and said the boulder is approximately 5′ tall and 8′ wide.
As of 9:35 a.m., there is reportedly a tree in the southbound lane of Highway 101 south of Hopland north of the rock shop.
At approximately 7:45 a.m. the #2 lane of Highway 101 and Uva Drive was reported flooded due to a clogged drain.
A traffic collision on Highway 101 south of Hopland near Frog Woman Rock resulted in an SUV off the roadway.
For residents hoping to keep abreast of the changing conditions over the next 24 hours, the following links will provide vital information:
- California Highway Patrol Traffic Incident Information Page– this page will provide real-time updates on significant impacts on our local roadways due to flooding, debris, etc.
- PG&E Outage Map– This website provides an overview of current power outages with information such as causes and estimated times of restoration.
- Broadcastify Scanner– Listen to the first responders in real-time as they respond to incidents throughout the county.
- National Weather Service Preciptiation Totals– This map will continue to provide a real-time overview of precipitaiton totals.
- National Weather Service River Forecast Center– This tool provides real-time updates on the status of rivers and the risk of flooding. It is worth noting that no local rivers are predicted to flood as a result of this storm.
My rain gauge is approaching 3,5 inches for the Fort Bragg area on Sunday, October 24, 2021 just past noon. Should reach 4 inches by the end of the day. I have recorded 7.9 inches since October 17, 2021. As I expected, having grown up in California. (Stratus rain gauge).
I think the man and dog rescue was a transient and his dog who were sleeping near a creek and the rising water cut them off.