Updated: Flash Flood Watch Remains In Sonoma, Napa Counties

(images of PG&E crews working to restore power in the Scotts Valley area, Lost Valley Dr. and Lost Valley Ct. in Orinda, Hwy 121/Fremont Drive)

UPDATE 3:30 PM-

A flash flood watch issued by the National Weather Service is now in effect from 6 p.m. Sunday to 4 a.m. Monday morning for Sonoma and Napa Counties due to the heavy rainfall expected later this evening.

A Flood Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for flooding. It does not mean flooding will occur, but it is possible.

There is also a Wind Advisory in effect during the same time frame. Winds are estimated to be 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph.

------------------------

(original story)

BAY AREA - A Saturday late winter storm that brought heavy amounts of rain and strong winds to the Bay Area left its mark in many areas.

In Santa Cruz County, some areas experienced flooding Sunday morning brought on by several inches of rain in the area during the past 24 hours.

Santa Cruz County Communication Manager Jason Hoppin said heavy rains caused three major waterways to surpass flood stages. The San Lorenzo River, with a flood level of 18 feet, peaked at 18.12 feet, Soquel Creek, with a flood level of 14.5 feet, peaked at 16.31 feet, and Corralitos Creek, with a flood level of 11.5 feet, peaked at 12.87 feet this morning, Hoppin said.

The flooding caused evacuations for residents living west of Porter Street along Soquel Creek, in Felton Grove and at Paradise Park along the San Lorenzo River.

There were several structures impacted by the flooding, and several county roads were closed due to mudslides, floods or downed trees.

American Red Cross evacuation centers have been established at Jade Street Park in Capitola and at the Zayante Fire Station.

In Napa County, a flash flood warning was issued for south central Napa County. The warning was in effect until 1 a.m. Sunday.

Weather services officials are warned people to move immediately to higher ground and avoid driving across flooded roads. At 9:54 p.m. stream gauges on Redwood Creek at Mount Veeder Road showed the creek had reached flood stage, weather service officials said.

Flooding was expected along Redwood Creek and into the cities of Napa and Yountville.

Sandbags are available for self-service filling at the 1400 block of Menlo at Memorial Stadium.

In Sonoma County, a flash flood watch issued by the National Weather Service is now in effect from 6 p.m. Sunday to 4 a.m. Monday morning for the entire county due to the heavy rainfall expected later tonight.

A Flood Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for flooding. It does not mean flooding will occur, but it is possible.

There is also a Wind Advisory in effect during the same time frame. Winds are estimated to be 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph.

Weather officials say yesterday's storm brought 1.66 inches of rain to Rohnert Park.

Rohnert Park’s Public Works Department will have free sandbags available at two locations:

1. City of Rohnert Park Corporate Yard, 600 Enterprise Drive (near railroad track)​
2. Callinan Sports and Fitness Center. 5405 Snyder Lane (rear of parking lot)

Earlier, officials with the National Weather Service said flash flooding was occurring Saturday night in northern Petaluma and issued a flash flood warning for southeastern Sonoma County.

The warning was in effect until 2:45 a.m. Sunday.

Weather services officials warned people to move immediately to higher ground and avoid driving across flooded roads.

At 10:46 p.m. river gauges showed Willow Brook at Penngrove Park had exceeded flood stage, weather service officials said.

Flash flooding was expected to continue along Willow Brook in northern Petaluma until at least 1 a.m. and possibly 3 a.m.

A tweet by the Sonoma Sheriff around 10 p.m. told residents to avoid area of Hwy 121/Fremont Drive in Sonoma because the road was flooded with multiple cars stuck and taking on water.

Sonoma County sandbags can be found with this information.

In Contra Costa County, a road was closed at Lost Valley Dr. and Lost Valley Ct. in Orinda when trees and power lines clashed. The repair was expected to take approximately five hours to clear.

Free sandbags are available at various Contra Costa County locations.

In Solano County, urban and flash flood advisories were in effect until 11:15 p.m. Saturday night.

The National Weather Service says today will be cloudy with a chance of rain in the morning and showers likely in the afternoon. Highs will be in the 60s, and southwest winds could reach 10 to 20 mph.

Tonight will be breezy with rain in the evening. There will be a slight chance of thunderstorms after midnight.

-Bay Area News contributed to this article, images via Scotts Valley PD, Orinda PD, Sonoma Sheriff