Thurs. Feb 19, 11:30 a.m. - San Francisquito Creek was 18 feet below the banks at the Chaucer Street bridge, according to the Palo Alto Public Works Department. No flooding has been reported.

Sun. Feb. 8, 10:50 a.m. - With the resumption of rainfall Santa Clara County water officials have declared a flash flood warning for all creeks and streams, including those in Palo Alto, until 3 p.m. today. Creek levels in Palo Alto remain well below danger levels, however.
Emergency officials once again caution curious residents from getting near the creeks. In some areas, police lines have been set up to prevent people from getting too close.

Sat. Feb. 7, 1:45 p.m. - With the rain having stopped concern over Matadero Creek has lessened significantly. Creek levels are going down. Palo Alto Police report hazards from flowing water on Junipero Serra Blvd. between Page Mill Rd. and Stanford Ave. and on Page Mill Rd. between 280 and Via Ventana in the hills. As the period since the last rainfall increases, however, all standing water is lessening in severity.

Sat. Feb. 7, 12:35 p.m. - Creek levels are continuing to rise with the heavy rains of the last hour, but city officials say that Matadero Creek at Greer is the primary area of concern. The water is now 1.5 feet above the bottom of the bridge, but flood danger does not occur until water is about 5 feet above the bottom of the bridge due to the way the channel and bridge are built. San Francisquito Creek is 7 feet from the water to the bridge at Chaucer St. and 5.5 feet at West Bayshore bridge.
Palo Alto Police caution residents to please stay away from all creeks; there is special concern about the number of children who are trying to watch the creeks as they rise. In addition, emergency officials are warning people to not attempt to cross through any water deeper than 6".
There is standing water reported along the southbound lanes of Alma St., on Embarcardero near Cowper and Waverley and on Louis, Ross and Greer roads south of Colorado.

Sat. Feb. 7, 11:20 a.m. - Creek levels are continuing to rise. Matadero Creek is 6 inches below the bottom of the Greer Road Bridge. They are currently evaluating the situation and will alert the area if evacuations are needed. Adobe Creek is 9 feet below the bottom of the West Bay Shore Bridge, and the San Francisquito Creek is 10.5 feet below the Chaucer Street Bridge and 5 feet below the West Bay Shore Bridge.
Power was out from 9:30-10:30 a.m. this morning in the Willows area.
A tree down on Polhemus Drive. There are reports of major damage to a house in the area.

Sat. Feb. 7, 10:15 a.m. - Creek levels in Palo Alto are rising due to the heavy rain of the last two hours, however all creeks remain well below danger levels at this time. City emergency services personnel have resumed hourly creek checks. High tide has come and gone without problem. There have been no other reports of serious incidents or problems.

Sat. Feb. 7, 1998, 7:40 a.m. - Creek levels in Palo Alto are down considerably and there are no flash flood warnings in effect. It has been sprinkling overnight. The next storm, which is not expected to be as large as originally thought, is due to hit the area around 11 a.m. High tide this morning is around 10 a.m. The Palo Alto Emergency Operations Center remains open.

Fri. Feb. 6, 1998, 7:10 p.m. - The flash flood warning for San Francisquito Creek has been extended until 9 p.m. tonight due to the heavy rainfall between 5 and 6 p.m. Creek levels have risen slightly since the last report at 4 p.m. San Francisquito Creek at the Chaucer St. bridge is now 4 feet from water to the bottom of the bridge. Matadero at Greer and at W. Bayshore is 5.5 feet from water to bottom of bridge. The next high tide will occur at 10:17 p.m. tonight.

Fri. Feb. 6, 1998, 3:45 p.m. - The National Weather Service has extended the flash flood warning for southern San Mateo County until 6 p.m.
The next high tide will be at 10:17 p.m. at the Dumbarton Bridge. Saturday morning's high tide is at 9:11 a.m. High tides increase the likelihood of flooding because they raise the water table, thus not allowing water to sink into the ground.

Fri. Feb. 6, 1998, 2 p.m. - The southbound Highway 101 off-ramp to westbound Embarcadero Road is closed for cleaning.
Creek levels are stable. Adobe Creek is 4.5 feet below the bottom of the West Bay Shore Bridge, Barron Creek is 3 feet below the bottom of the Louis Street Bridge, Matadero Creek is 3 feet below the bottom of the Greer Road Bridge and the San Francisquito Creek is 6 feet below the Chaucer Street Bridge.
The Palo Alto Fire Department will pump out Palo Alto residents basements on a first come, first serve basis (as long as the pumps are not needed for an emergency). Residents can call 650/329-2653 to get this service.

Fri. Feb. 6, 1998, Noon - There is a flash flood warning until 2:30 p.m. Friday for the Palo Alto Area. But as of noon Friday officials at the Santa Clara Water District said the San Francisquito, Matadero and Barron creeks water levels are dropping.
For those whose houses flooded Tuesday, Bill Mainser of Interiors and Textile on El Camino Real, Palo Alto has offered replacement carpeting or flooring at cost. He can be reached at 650/493-1700.