LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – With a series of storms bearing down on Northern California, forecasters are urging residents to be ready for winds, heavy rains, snow in higher elevations and the potential for flooding.
Forecasters said a parade of strong storms is expected to bring periods of moderate to heavy rainfall beginning on Thursday and extending into early next week.
With soils already saturated and creeks running high from several days of rain, officials are concerned that it could lead to flooding.
As a result, the National Weather Service has issued a flood watch that will be in effect from 4 a.m. Thursday though 6 p.m. Sunday across a large part of Northern California – including Lake County – warning of the potential for urban and small stream flooding over a five-day period. Areas of particular concern are those below 4,000 feet elevation.
Along with the rain, the storms are forecast to bring gusty winds, leading to the potential for downed trees and damaged power utilities.
In Lake County's burn areas, heavy rains also are a concern due to the potential for flooding and slides.
Lake County's specific forecast calls for several inches of rain from Thursday through Tuesday.
During the day and night on Thursday alone, up to 3 inches of rain is expected to fall, with showers forecast to continue into Tuesday night.
The Lake County Department of Public Works said Wednesday that the incoming storms are expected to inundate the Scotts Valley Road area near Lakeport, potentially closing the road for several days.
Scotts Valley Road had been closed temporarily earlier this week after having been flooded as a result of weekend storms.
Public Works anticipated water would again cover Scotts Valley Road on Thursday night or early Friday morning, and officials asked people in the area to be prepared.
A detour on Eickhoff Road will be opened up late on Thursday afternoon in expectation of the incoming rain event, Public Works reported.
The detour is for area residents, and those who don't need to travel through the area are encouraged to avoid it. Public Works said the road can become impassible, and wakes from vehicles can cause property damage.
The recent rains have pushed Clear Lake's depth to 6.21 feet Rumsey as of Wednesday afternoon. A full lake is 7.56 feet Rumsey, and Clear Lake is forecast to hit that level this weekend, according to the California-Nevada River Forecast Center.
The lake's level led Yolo County Flood Control and Water Conservation District – in coordination with Lake County Water Resources – to begin releasing water from Cache Creek Dam on Wednesday morning.
Water Resources officials said it's possible that full flood releases will occur by this weekend.
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Forecasters issue alerts ahead of series of late week storms; Cache Creek Dam releases begin
- Elizabeth Larson
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