[Update 3:30 p.m.] Most Major Highways Clear, Snow on 36

Sunrise near Pecwan this morning. [image from the ALERTCalifornia camera east of Orick]

After several days of stormy weather, North Coast highways have emerged relatively well. As of Friday morning, major routes across Humboldt, Mendocino, Trinity, and Del Norte counties remain open though chains are required on Highway 36. There are no flood warnings posted for local rivers.

The National Weather Service reports that showers and thunderstorms are forecast through this morning. Some storms may bring brief heavy downpours and wind gusts reaching up to 50 mph, creating the potential for ponding on roadways and debris blown into travel lanes.

Looking ahead, conditions are expected to steadily improve. The forecasts call for increasing sunshine through the weekend across much of the North Coast. Enjoy the welcome break after the recent run of stormy weather.

Major Highways–Here’s What We Know:

(Most information below is from Caltrans’ Quick Map. If you are heading to Oregon, check their similar site. If you are heading to Nevada, check their similar site.)

• • Interstate 5: Open
  • Hwy 1: Open but watch for storm debris
  • Hwy 3: Open
  • Hwy 20: Open
  • Hwy 36: Caltrans says, “Route 36 is FULLY CLOSED from the Carlotta Volunteer Fire Department to Cummings Creek Road (PM 7.4 to 8.1) in Humboldt County due to flooding. Currently, there is no estimated time of reopening.” The chain requirements on Highway 36 have been lifted. 
  • Hwy 96: Open
  • Hwy 101: Open 
  • HWY 162 (Covelo Road): Open
  • Hwy 169 (Klamath): Open
  • Hwy 199: Open
  • Hwy 211: Open
  • Hwy 254 (Avenue of the Giants): Open except Caltrans says, “FULLY CLOSED from Holmes Flat Road to Barkdull Road (PM 41 – 43.37) north of Redcreset in Humboldt County due to flooding.”
  • Hwy 255: Open
  • Hwy 271: Open
  • Hwy 299: Open.

Humboldt County Roads:  Updated as of 3:30 p.m.:

The following roads are flooded:

• Howard Heights
• Cannibal Island Rd .10 mile from Eel River to end of road
• Graham Rd
• Zanes Rd
• Berta Rd
• Old Arcata Rd between Graham Rd and Jacoby Creek Rd
• Fernbridge Dr Northbound Lane
• Ambrosini Lane
• Rose Ave
• Port Kenyon Rd
• Waddington Rd on the Grizzly Bluff side
• Grizzley Bluff at the Waddington intersection
• Goble between Dillon Rd and Nissen Rd
• Nissen Rd from Goble Lane to the end closed

The following roads are closed:

• Hall Ave due to the Redwood Acres emergency staging
• Hookton Rd and Eel River Dr
• Mad River Rd is closed at P.M. 2.75 (Tye City) due to flooding
• Camp Weott at Dillon
• Coffee Creek is closed due to flooding from P.M. 1.00 to 1.25
• Meridian Road closed between P.M. .5 to .9
• Goble Lane from Sage Rd to Fulmor Rd
• Dillon Rd

Mattole Road / Bull Creek Road about 1 mile west of the Hwy 101 exit due to a large redwood tree block both east and westbound lanes within Humboldt Redwoods State Park. [CHP has removed the road closed notice from their cad system, but we have not confirmed that the road is cleared at this time.]

Trinity County Roads: No information at this time.

Mendocino County Roads: No information at this time.

Tips for Travel: Please note that if you have to stuck while traveling in winter weather, that an inexpensive heater can be fashioned from a tin and tea candles. The whole heating device takes up very little space.

Consumer Affairs magazine describes how the kit works and why you should use it. They say,

If you’re trapped in your car, running the engine to generate heat is a bad idea for two reasons: one, even starting with a full tank you’ll run out of gas in a few hours, thus leaving you unable to move even when the road eventually clears; and two, if falling or drifting snow or ice blocks your car’s exhaust pipe, you and everyone else in the passenger compartment can quickly die of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Fortunately, it’s easy to make heat without running the engine, and you can put together an emergency automotive heating kit for less than $5. You only need four items: a large-ish metal can with a removable lid, a supply of metal-cup “tea light” candles, some matches, and waterproof resealable sandwich or freezer bags to hold the candles and matches inside the metal can.

(See here for a complete description on how to create this kit to carry with you.)