Severe flooding along the Russian River in California prompted evacuation orders and underscored the dangers posed by sustained heavy rainfall. Residents living in low-lying areas were urged to evacuate, but some chose to remain in their homes. Sonoma County Fire crews conducted multiple water rescues. The rising water levels submerged roads and caused widespread disruption, prompting officials to warn against driving through flooded areas. The impact of the flooding extended to critical infrastructure, with residents in Guerneville working to maintain essential services.
Evacuation orders remained in effect through Wednesday night for low-lying areas along the Russian River, spanning 34 miles from Healdsburg to Jenner on the Pacific coast. Residents living below the 36-foot elevation were instructed to evacuate, though reports indicate many chose to disregard the warnings. Sonoma County Fire responded to three water rescues earlier that morning. 'It doesn't take much with this water.
If you can't see the center line, don't drive through it,' cautioned Karen Hancock, Sonoma County Outreach Specialist. In Guerneville, one dedicated individual ensured the continuity of critical low-lying services. A nearby sewer plant required a shift change, and maintaining its 24-hour operation was paramount. Efforts were made to safely transport personnel across the flooded region. On River Road, three bridges provided passage over the swollen river. However, most other roads resembled submerged arteries, with water levels ranging from six to ten feet.Wednesday's sunny, cloud-dotted day attracted onlookers eager to witness the unprecedented water levels. 'It’s all at a pretty high status. I've lived here for three years and I've never seen it this high before,' remarked local resident Justin Buryai. Residents Hanna Coe echoed this sentiment, expressing amazement at the volume of water and emphasizing the surreal experience of witnessing it firsthand. River Bend Resort resident Ian Graves recounted a harrowing encounter, observing a landslide house cascading down the flooded creek. 'We all ran up to the edge of the creek there and we saw it going by and we were very concerned there were people still in it. No one knew if there were bodies in it. So, we were screaming along the banks trying to see if there was anyone in there; kind of following it,' Graves said. The trailer park had evacuated residents early, with only a few units experiencing minor water intrusion. Kevin Havsch, manager of River Bend Resort, explained that the residents were well aware of the potential danger and had prepared accordingly. 'All of our park residents knew at 29 feet that the forecast was changing and subject to change. We had different volunteers from local Facebook groups that would come out and move trailers for us,' Havsch noted. Caltrans officials are scheduled to conduct a thorough inspection of the roads, scrutinizing them for erosion and structural damage. 'When you have sustained rain like this, what we look for is erosion because, as levees, reservoirs, lakes, dams overspill, water goes in areas where it normally isn't intended to go and that compromises the soils that are under our infrastructure, our roadways,' explained Bart Ney, Caltrans spokesperson.
RUSSIAN RIVER FLOODING CALIFORNIA EVACUATIONS HEAVY RAIN WATER RESCUES SEWER PLANTS ROAD Closures EROSION CALTRANS
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