[UPDATE 4 p.m.: County Roads Report] Flood Advisories in Effect This Morning as Heavy Rain Continues Across Humboldt and Surrounding Counties
Stock image of rain. [Photo by Anna Rogers]
At 5:41 a.m., Doppler radar and automated rain gauges indicated heavy rainfall across Humboldt County, northeastern Mendocino County, and southwestern Trinity County. Between 1 and 2 inches of rain had already fallen.
Gif of the incoming rain from the NWS
The advisory warns that minor flooding is occurring in low-lying and poor drainage areas, with water reported over roadways and elevated river and stream flows. An additional inch of rain is possible this morning, which could worsen minor flooding.
The National Weather Service reports urban and small stream flooding is already occurring or imminent, particularly in poor drainage areas. There is also an increased risk of rock and landslides along roadways.
Beyond this morning’s immediate flooding concerns, a broader Flood Watch remains in effect from 10 p.m. tonight through Tuesday evening for Del Norte, Humboldt, Trinity, and Mendocino counties.
Rainfall totals through Tuesday night are forecast to range from 2 to 5 inches across much of Humboldt, Del Norte, southern Trinity, and northern Mendocino counties, with locally higher amounts possible on windward terrain. Southern Mendocino and Lake counties are expected to see 1 to 2.5 inches.
Only one river is expected to reach flood stage however. The Russian River at Hopland is predicted to crest at minor flooding about 7 p.m.
Still flooding can occur on roads. Drivers are urged not to attempt to cross flooded roadways. Even shallow water can stall vehicles or conceal hazards beneath the surface. Residents near small streams and in low-lying areas should remain alert for rapidly changing conditions.
There is also an increased risk of rock and landslides. Those traveling are urged to slow down and watch for hazards.
This is a developing weather situation. Conditions may change as additional rainfall moves through the region this morning and into tonight.
UPDATE: The CHP CAD page and Caltrans QuickMap are now reporting the following areas flooding:
- As of 7:39 a.m.: The northbound onramp is closed due to flooding, and southbound Hookton Road will be closed shortly.
- 7:40 a.m. : Old Arcata Road at Graham Road: Water continues to rise. Earlier report indicated flooding was “pretty deep” and the roadway will need to be closed.
- Route 254/Avenue of the Giants is FULLY CLOSED north of Redcrest (PM 41 to 43.37) in Humboldt County due to flooding. There is currently no estimated time of reopening.
UPDATE 8:10 a.m.:
- Flooding on Connick Creek at Old Briceland Road.
- 7:59 a.m. — Shelter Cove Road between China Creek and Huckleberry Lane: A tree is blocking the westbound lane
UPDATE from Humboldt County Roads at 4 p.m.:
The following Humboldt County roads are flooded:
- Fernbridge Drive
- Berta Road
- V street at Highway 255
- Old Arcata Road between Graham Road and Jacoby Creek Road
- Waddington Road from the address of 2400 to 2504
- Port Kenyon Road from Market Street to California Street
- Ambrosini Lane to the end of the road
- Meridian Road from mile marker .5 to .9
- Cannibal Island Road
- Elk River Road at mile marker 3.34
- Mad River Road at the intersection of Miller Lane and Mad River Road
- Shelter Cove Road at Bear Creek
The following Humboldt County roads are closed:
- Eel River Drive at Hookton Road
- Freshwater Road between Howard Heights and Garfield School
- Coffee Creek Road
- Meridian Road at mile marker .4 to .9
- Wilder Ridge Road at mile marker 6.76 to 7.16
- Camp Kimtu Road
- Crannell Road, near the intersection of Dows Prairie Road
Stay informed
Humboldt County residents are encouraged to sign up to receive text and email alerts regarding county road conditions, including upcoming projects, road closures and chain requirements. Residents can sign up at HumboldtGov.org/RoadsUpdates
Community members are encouraged to visit Quickmap.dot.ca.gov to check for Caltrans road updates and visit HumboldtGov.org/Roads for updates on county road conditions.
For more information and updates on Humboldt County road projects, follow @HumCoRoads on Facebook or visit the Humboldt County Public Works Roads and Fleet Services Division web page
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1.79 inches of rain in the last 24 hrs as of 7:30 AM near Eureka High School. Still raining. No visible damage, tg.
2.2 inches as of 07:30 – 2 miles down Jacoby Creek road. I read at 07:30 daily. Certified gauge.
McKinleyville near the airport, it’s 8:10 am rain gauge says 2.21 inches since midnight.
2.92 inches today on our rain gauge west of Miranda.
Don’t be stupid people. Slow down and drive safely? The people who drive cautiously are the ones who end up getting hurt and the jerks who are in too much in a hurry always survive.
Yeah humboldt has alot of elderly drivers that really shouldn’t have a driver’s license . If you can’t do 30 thru eureka you shouldnt be driving
Some day you too will be elderly. Will you willingly give up driving? Will you hire yourself a driver? Some day you too will be treated like dryer lint, less than human because you’re old. If you’re lucky enough to live that long. Have a nice day, Love, A Senior who still drives and is sick of being bashed by self righteous younger people.
Reflex-speed vs experience.
In 99% of cases,
I choose experience.
Maybe those drivers were listening to the Jerry Garcia/David Grisman album “Old and In the Way”
TG, they don’t come at me while texting.
7.33″ in my rain gauge since late yesterday– near the Mattole Grange.
The official Cooskie Mtn. weather station recorded 6.45″, and our friend on Wilder Ridge, as usual, beat us all with 8.36″
If you like rain, the Mattole Valley is the place to be!
The Mattole River had huge (45+lbs) salmon. No mas.
Nothing quite that large since the 1800s. Known record is 39.5 by Jack Smiley in Nov. of 1899, but there were many in the 20-25lb range, but even those started to decline a century ago. Old timers used to brag that you could walk out and just pluck one from the river like a bear. It’s improving with all the groups trying to get it restored, but much work to go.
Steelhead through…Lots of them until the early 80s. Unfortunately there were more than a few people that completely ignored catch limits and would decimate an entire run in a couple of days.
Need to go check how my new roof is holding up. Storms last year ripped off the chimney flue and got water everywhere. Did lose power for a few hours the other night.
3.38 recorded on Sunset Ridge Road, Blocksburg at 9:10 AM!
8.36″ according to rain gauge nearby tap
https://dex.cocorahs.org/stations/CA-HM-70/obs-calendar?date=2026-02-01
16.91″ month-to-date
35.91″ ytd
When do you start year? Do you measure literal calendar year? You must. I do seasons, starting July 1… here near the Grange, we have… (as of 8 a.m. today, 2/24/2026) 14.03 in Feb; 27.25 for Jan + Feb; and 76.44 for season to date since 7/1/25.
Average seasonal rainfall here over past couple of decades is about 100″.
You’re up by Claire with the reported-rain champs!
From Jan 1…
https://dex.cocorahs.org/stations/CA-HM-70/precip-summary
From 7-1-2025, 95.15″
https://dex.cocorahs.org/stations/CA-HM-70/precip-summary?from=2025-07-01&to=2026-02-24
Yeah! We’re the Raining Champs! 🙂
I notice the Cooskie Mountain Gauge is down past dew days…
https://raws.dri.edu/cgi-bin/rawMAIN.pl?caCCOO
True, I reported it the morning after the hailstorms, was that Sat. night? It was way off. And reporting the temperature as crazy things like 154 F. (I made sure i wasn’t mistaking degrees in direction of wind with Fahrenheit degrees for temp.) I use that gov’t gauge often as a backup, if somehow my backyard gauge malfunctions or overflows. It is not scientific or accurate to do so, but it’s better than nothing, and once i did a ten-year survey comparing my gauge’s reports with the Cooskie Mtn info, and they averaged out to within 1% of each other, so i am okay with that.
Generally,
https://water.usgs.gov/nwc/explain_data.html
is the standard to use. I’m at 42.4 inches for the 2026 rain year.
Well, i didn’t get to vote on that change from July 1-June 30, so i’m going to stick with the old ways, lol. However, i recognize that many agencies do work on the Oct 1-Sept.30 plan, so i keep that in mind. If we deduct 3.33″, the amount i got at my place below Cooskie Mtn and near the Grange in the Mattole Valley between July 1 and Oct. 1, 2025, we get 73.11″ season-to-date, new-style, as of the morning of 2/24/2026.
The weather bureau used to start in july now they start in October. Here just south of Eureka I have had right at 30 inches since july. Had 2.85 inches in the last 24 hrs and its still raining. Annual average here is about 40 inches. A rule of thumb is to double it in the higher eastern mountains and mattole valley and 2.5 times the mountains west of there.I have an old weather bureau study of many stations in humboldt that shows an overall average of sixty inches.
Thank you… See my reply to Slapshot, above.
I might note that “Mattole Valley” is a very broad category, and the amounts here vary widely depending mainly upon distance from the mouth of the river. Generally, Petrolia gets a bit less than half of what Wilder Ridge/Kings Peak area gets. I am closer to Petrolia but still usually get about 1.5 times what they get down there.
As of noon:
2 gutter boats floated
1 gutter stomped in
3 puddles jumped in
1 pair socks & shoes drenched
1 wife splashed
1 dog house prepared for sleeping in tonight
Puddle jumping tip:
The staggered-foot method:
Put both feet together, side by side. Move one foot slightly forward the other. Cradle the heel of the forward foot in the arch of the back foot while the big toe and ball of the back foot cradle in the arch of the forward foot. That closes the hole between the feet made by the arches being side by side. An open arch hole will allow water to funnel up between the feet and legs. A well executed splash can thoroughly soak the thighs, crotch, often going up inside the pant legs, and even the face if you are trying to watch your feet. The staggered-foot method directs nearly all water to the sides making a much more glorious splash. Now jump.
Remember: orange juice is not just for breakfast anymore, and puddle splashing is not just for kids. Enjoy the weather.