PROJECT ALERT NOTICE (CA) Winter storm brings rain and snow to CA; warnings for flash floods and debris flows

Date: Thu, 29 Nov 2018 14:54:01 EST

Summary: Winter storm brings rain and snow to CA; warnings for flash floods and debris flows

Today through Saturday, the first major winter storm of the season will bring snow and up to 4 inches of rainfall to parts of California. Flash flood watch or advisories have been issued for parts of coastal California (central and southern), parts of northern California, and the Sierra Nevada foothills. Areas of high altitude are under winter storm watch or advisories, with snow accumulations expected. Debris flows and mudslides are likely for recent burn scar areas. Runoff from this event is causing elevated streamflow Statewide. Channels that have not had water in many months or more are experiencing flow for the first time. Currently, only one National Weather Service flood forecast point in California is expected to meet or exceed flood monitor stage (USGS gage 11023000).

Today, the USGS California Water Science Center has 19 crews deployed for flood response from the following service areas: Poway, CA (5); Redlands, CA (3); Santa Maria, CA (2); Santa Cruz, CA (5); Sacramento, CA (1); Eureka, CA (1); and Ukiah, CA (2). Additional crews may deploy tomorrow as streams respond to runoff, or for recessional measurements. Currently, all streamgages are transmitting data. No equipment damage or safety issues have been reported.