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An incoming storm that will start affecting the Bay Area on Tuesday night has intensified in strength and will hit a region that has already seen regular rain for the past few weeks, according to the National Weather Service.
As the storm arrives, starting on Tuesday night lasting into Thursday morning, a flash flood watch has been issued for the entire region, a wind advisory will be in effect for the interior valleys and a high wind warning is in effect for the hills above 1,000 feet, meteorologists said.
The rain will severely impact the coastal ranges, which may see up to 8 inches of rain in some areas and up to a half-inch per hour at times.
In Palo Alto, the storm is expected to bring about 1.23 inches and gusts as high as 31 mph from Tuesday night through Thursday morning, according to a city press release.
The primary issue, according to meteorologist Ryan Walbrun, is the rain that has already impacted the region in recent weeks.
“There hasn’t been enough time to dry out the soil. Any rain we get is going to immediately run off,” he said.
As the rain totals increase, so will the flood risk, according to Walbrun. In addition, high winds are expected to start on Wednesday.
Palo Alto’s creek monitor sensors will be tracking water flow at San Francisquito and Adobe creeks, which can be viewed on the city’s website. The sensors on West Bayshore Road at Matadero Creek are under evaluation, while another on West Bayshore Road at San Francisquito Creek has been showing inaccurate information at low flow, according to the city.
The coastal ranges will likely see 4-6 inches of rain, the North Bay 3-4 inches, the South Bay 1-1.5 inches, 1-2 inches in the Monterey Bay region and 1-2 inches in the immediate Bay Area. The rain will weaken to scattered showers on Thursday.
“If you live in a place that’s prone to flooding, your time for action is running out quickly,” Walbrun said.
Winds in the region are expected to be breezy, with gusts around 20-30 mph, and stronger gusts between 45-60 mph possible through early Thursday in the coastal areas, East Bay hills and Santa Cruz Mountains.
A cool and showery pattern is expected to return to the region on Friday, and Walbrun said there are no signs of any long dry spell for the region coming soon.
Palo Alto city staff will have loose sand and fill bags available for the public at Mitchell and Rinconada parks, with a limit of 10 filled bags per vehicle and 20 filled bags for pickup trucks.
Public Works staff will respond to reports of flooding, blocked storm drains, slides and downed trees made to its after-hours line at 650-329-2413. Power outages can be reported to the Utilities Control Center at 650-496-6914.
More information on the city’s storm watch resources can be found here.
Just a reminder to everyone. . . Storms like this have a probability to create power outages and flooding (for certain neighborhoods). But we’ll be in pretty good shape compared to other communities. We’ll all survive this one.
But maybe, just maybe. . .
Use this ‘storm’ to check your emergency supplies – Batteries? Flashlights? Food and Water Supply (including your pet’s stuff). Talk to your family about an evacuation plan. Gas in the car? And while you’re at it, do you have your Gas Shutoff Wrench where it should be? Sandbags if needed? Too late to clean the gutters or drains near you? Got your shovel?
And . . . after the rainstorm – if you have the time and energy. . .look into your town’s Emergency Service Volunteer group to be better prepared. Never hurts to be ready.