Flash Flood, Debris Flow, High Winds Possible In Santa Cruz Co.

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA — The entire Bay Area will be under a high wind watch this week as a series of storms producing heavy rains and snow approaches.

Much of northern Santa Cruz County will also be under a flash flood watch from Tuesday afternoon to Thursday afternoon. National Weather Service officials warn that debris flow and flash flooding is possible around recent burn areas, while mudslides and washouts are possible elsewhere in areas with steep terrain.

Flash Flood Watch is in effect ahead of the upcoming #AtmosphericRiver event and is valid from Tuesday afternoon through Thursday afternoon for the North Bay, along with much of the San Mateo County Coast, Santa Cruz Mountains, and the Santa Lucia Mountains. #CaWx pic.twitter.com/IAk6j3v4nR
— NWS Bay Area (@NWSBayArea) January 25, 2021

Santa Cruz County officials are advising residents of affected areas to make plans elsewhere ahead of the storm, if possible. Otherwise, they should have an emergency bag packed and be prepared to leave on a planned evacuation route.

"Prepare now," officials said Sunday night.

With heavy winds and rains expected this week, please be prepared to evacuate if you are in a warning zone.

To check your zone visit https://t.co/BKuKNoDl5h pic.twitter.com/3E7yKrCix9
— Santa Cruz SO (@SantaCruzSO1) January 25, 2021

The high wind watch will be in place from 7 p.m. Tuesday to 7 a.m. Thursday, according to NWS. Winds of 15 to 30 mph are possible, with gusts up to 60 mph.

Keep an eye out for downed tree limbs, trees and power lines, according to NWS. Power outages are possible and high-profile cars or trailers may have difficulty on the road.

The storms headed toward the Bay Area this week are expected to bring more rain than the region has seen in more than a year. The storm from the Gulf of Alaska will see an atmospheric river, which is like a river in the sky, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The heavy rainfall that's expected is concerning for regions that saw destructive wildfires last year, including the North Bay, Santa Cruz Mountains and across Monterey County. Officials warn people in those general areas that they should not try to drive through flooded roads, according to NWS.

Read more:

Evacuation Warnings: 'Prepare Now,' Santa Cruz Co. Officials Say

Biggest Storm Of The Year Barrels Toward Bay Area

Correction: A previous version of this story misstated the length of the flash flood watch.