Storm Slams Southern Mendocino County; Two Being Rescued from River Near Hopland as Flooding Forces Road Closures/Some School Shutdowns

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Heavy rain pounded southern Mendocino County overnight, pushing the Russian River into minor flood stage, closing schools and highways, and sending emergency crews scrambling after a vehicle went into the water near Hopland this morning.

Southern Mendocino County appears to have taken the brunt of the latest storm, with rising rivers, flooded roadways, and multiple emergency responses reported from the coast to inland valleys.

At 7:47 a.m. Wednesday, the National Weather Service in Eureka extended a Flood Warning for the Russian River near Hopland, again forecasting minor flooding. Officials urged drivers to “turn around, don’t drown,” noting that most flood-related deaths occur in vehicles. Motorists were warned not to bypass barricades or attempt to cross water-covered roads, bridges, dips, or low water crossings.

According to the Mendocino County Office of Education, Manchester Elementary and Point Arena Schools, including Pacific Community Charter School, are closed Wednesday, February 25, due to storm conditions. Additional school closure updates are being posted at mcoe.us as conditions evolve.

The California Highway Patrol reported multiple road closures due to flooding or slides, including:

• State Route 1 at milepost marker 31
• State Route 1 at the Garcia River
• State Route 175 at Highway 101
• State Route 128 at milepost marker 11
• Talmage Road at Babcock Lane

Drivers were advised to avoid the affected areas, allow extra travel time, and check conditions on Caltrans QuickMap.

But the most dramatic moment of the morning unfolded near Hopland.

At approximately 7:13 a.m., a report came in of a fully submerged vehicle about 250 feet from Highway 101 on Highway 175. Initial information indicated it was unknown whether the vehicle was occupied. Within minutes, the incident was reclassified from a disabled vehicle to flooding-related, as the situation became clearer.

By 7:25 a.m., responders on scene reported the vehicle was about halfway exposed in the water. Mendocino County Sheriff’s deputies and fire personnel responded, with Cal Fire notified at 7:15 a.m.

Then came a striking update at a few minutes before 8 a.m.. two people were reportedly located at the scene and rescuers were deployed. At this point, we believe the rescue is still ongoing. We’ll update as we learn more.

The incident was one of multiple reports of vehicles entering water in the region since the storm intensified Tuesday. The danger posed by flooded roadways and rapidly rising rivers is real, folks.

The Russian River and its tributaries are expected to remain elevated as runoff continues. Officials continue to emphasize that water depth and roadway stability can be deceptive, particularly in rural areas where low-water crossings and river-adjacent highways are common.

Emergency crews remain active throughout southern Mendocino County (and in other counties) as the storm system moves through, with conditions subject to change as additional rainfall (though today should be much milder) and runoff continue.

Authorities are urging residents to monitor local alerts, avoid unnecessary travel, and treat all flooded roadways as potentially life-threatening.