[Update: County Roads Report] Heavy Rain Pushes Rivers Toward Flood Stage, Roads Impacted Across Northwest California
Stock image.
Flood warnings and advisories remain in effect across Northwest California as a strong atmospheric river continues to bring moderate to heavy rainfall, pushing rivers toward or above flood stage and closing some roadways.
The National Weather Service in Eureka issued a Flood Warning for the Eel River at Fernbridge Tuesday morning, stating the river is expected to rise above flood stage around 9 p.m. tonight and crest at approximately 20.6 feet just after midnight, before falling below flood stage Wednesday morning.
[Infographic courtesy of NWS]
The storm has already produced significant rainfall. As of 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, the Weather Service reported a preliminary daily rainfall record of 2.03 inches at Woodley Island in Eureka, breaking the previous February 24 record of 1.76 inches set in 1917. Officials noted the final record total will not be confirmed until after midnight, as additional rainfall is expected.
Across the broader region, rainfall totals from Monday through Tuesday afternoon ranged from 2 to 4 inches from Del Norte County through Northern Mendocino County, with localized higher amounts up to 7.5 inches in parts of southwest Humboldt, southern Trinity, and northern Mendocino counties. Southern Mendocino and Lake counties saw between 0.5 and 1.5 inches.
[Infographic courtesy of NWS]
A Flood Watch remains in effect until 10 p.m. Tuesday for much of the region.
Meanwhile, Caltrans District 1 reported that Route 128 is fully closed in Mendocino County from the Highway 1 junction to west of Flynn Creek Road near Navarro due to flooding. Motorists are urged to check QuickMap for updated road conditions before traveling.
Forecasters expect rainfall to taper to showers later this evening, with improving conditions Wednesday. However, lingering low clouds and fog are expected, and unsettled weather could return later this week.
Officials continue to stress a critical safety reminder: Never drive into water of unknown depth. Most flood-related deaths occur in vehicles. Turn Around, Don’t Drown.
This is a developing weather situation, and additional updates will be provided as conditions evolve.
Humboldt County Roads Update 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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The South Fork Eel river came up much faster than usual at Sylvandale. Lots of rain south of here. I live in the flood plain and pay very close attention
No mention of the Klamath/ Trinity/Smith Rivers.
Hard to believe you’re complaining about what’s missing instead of being grateful for what’s provided. Sort of like complaining about being offered a beautiful homemade meal that doesn’t include dessert.
If you really don’t know where to find river flow information, here’s a place to start. Zoom in on the state map and pick a site that interests you. Enjoy!
https://waterdata.usgs.gov/state/California/
Maybe not complaining. Maybe just interested.
Hardly any gauges and nobody around to report anything. But you can check in real time here.
Two inches in a day? I think we’ll be ok. The spring peepers are starting to get loud outside.
River forecast was way off! Better revise that, Eel is expected to now crest over 3ft above flood stage at Fernbridge
Screen shot from 10 minutes ago. Still expected to come up another two feet. Further upstream past Miranda it’s already started to come down so the flood won’t last long.
BUT…...high tide is at 5:14 AM at 7.28ft. so that water is already starting to back up by the mouth.