Floods isolate 2 California towns; storm dumps snow in West

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Floods isolate 2 California towns; storm dumps snow in West

By HAVEN DALEY and OLGA R. RODRIGUEZ Associated Press

February 27, 2019 07:22 PM

This is what the ‘island’ of Guerneville, California, looks like

Guerneville, CA, along the Russian River, is accessible only by boat after the rain-swollen river overflowed on February 27, 2019.

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Guerneville, CA, along the Russian River, is accessible only by boat after the rain-swollen river overflowed on February 27, 2019.

By

GUERNEVILLE, Calif.

Two communities in Northern California’s wine country were accessible only by boat Wednesday after a rain-swollen river overflowed its banks following a relentless downpour across an already waterlogged region.

The small city of Guerneville north of San Francisco “is officially an island,” with the overflowing Russian River forecast to hit its highest level in about 25 years, the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.

“Nobody is coming or going from the Guerneville area at this time,” said sheriff’s Sgt. Spencer Crum. The nearby town of Monte Rio was also isolated by floodwaters and all roads leading to it were swamped.

The still rising Russian River was engorged by days of rain from western U.S. storms that have also dumped heavy snow in the Sierra Nevada, throughout the Pacific Northwest and into Montana, where Gov. Steve Bullock signed an emergency order to help keep up the supply of heating fuel amid frigid temperatures.

Snow from the storms closed roads and schools and toppled trucks and trees from Oregon to Montana and an avalanche in the Sierra prompted Amtrak to suspend rail service between Sacramento and Reno, Nevada.

The Russian River topped 42 feet (13 meters) Wednesday afternoon, when television helicopter footage showed homes underwater and cars submerged. It could crest at more than 46 feet (14 meters) by Wednesday night, officials said. About 4,000 residents in two dozen river communities were ordered to evacuate Tuesday evening but officials estimate only about half heeded the orders, Crum said.

Jeff Bridges, co-owner of the R3 Hotel in Guerneville, said he and others who stayed behind were well prepared to ride out the storm. He and employees spent most of the night moving computers, business records and furniture to second-floor room. Reached by telephone, Bridges said there was about 7 feet (2 meters) of water at his two-story home in Guerneville Wednesday but was not worried.

“As long as everybody is safe, dry and warm, it’s all fine. You just ride it out,” said Bridges, noting that this flood was the fourth he’s experienced in 33 years.

He added: “People in Florida have hurricanes, people in Maine have blizzards; we have floods,” he said. “It’s the price we have to pay to live in paradise.”

Several areas in California set record-high rainfall totals, including nearby Santa Rosa, which had nearly 8 inches (20 centimeters) of rain in one day. The often-waterlogged Venado weather station 5 miles (8 kilometers) from Guerneville recorded more than 20 inches (50 centimeters) of rain in 48 hours.

In the Sierra Nevada, which has already seen a month of heavy snow, two Amtrak trains together carrying nearly 300 passengers stopped and reversed directions because of an avalanche that closed railroad tracks. Service on Amtrak’s California Zephyr between Reno and Sacramento, California, has been suspended until weather conditions improve, Amtrak spokeswoman Kimberly Woods said.

California officials were also concerned about potential mudslides in saturated wine country hillsides and in areas scarred by wildfires in 2017.

A mudslide Tuesday near Monte Rio trapped a man and a woman before they were rescued, messy but unharmed.

“I fell into the mud when the tree fell over the top of me. It happened so fast you don’t even know,” Kear Koch told KGO-TV.

Elsewhere in the area, several people had to be rescued from cars stranded while motorists tried to drive through flooded roads. Nina Sheehan, who is visiting from North Carolina, had to abandon her rental SUV after it got stuck in a flooded hotel parking lot.

“We made a decision to take the rental car through the waist-high water and we got two thirds of the way and then the car stalled,” she said. “Do not try to go through any water over a foot high because you never know what you’re going to find.”

Firefighters in Monte Rio worked through the night pulling people out of cars stuck in flooded roadways and getting people out of their homes as water approached, Fire Chief Steve Baxman told the Press-Democrat newspaper of Santa Rosa.

“We took 17 people out of cars and houses during the night. Too many people are driving into water,” he said.

Other waterways, including the Napa River, also were expected to overflow their banks as an ocean-spanning plume of moisture continued tracking through the West.








Nevada County and Nevada City firefighters work to assess a structure on Juniper Drive that sustained a tree fall, knocking out power and potentially causing a gas hazard in the process, Tuesday evening, Feb. 26, 2019. Torrential rain from a winter storm that has also dumped heavy snow in mountainous areas prompted California authorities to order mandatory evacuations for two dozen small communities north of San Francisco.

Nevada County and Nevada City firefighters work to assess a structure on Juniper Drive that sustained a tree fall, knocking out power and potentially causing a gas hazard in the process, Tuesday evening, Feb. 26, 2019. Torrential rain from a winter storm that has also dumped heavy snow in mountainous areas prompted California authorities to order mandatory evacuations for two dozen small communities north of San Francisco.The Union via APElias Funez








University of Oregon students Trent Ward and Mollie Herron work to clear snow from Ward's car parked along Walnut Street in Eugene, Ore., Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019. Residents of the area continue to dig out from Monday's heavy snowfall.

University of Oregon students Trent Ward and Mollie Herron work to clear snow from Ward’s car parked along Walnut Street in Eugene, Ore., Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019. Residents of the area continue to dig out from Monday’s heavy snowfall.The Register-Guard via APAndy Nelson








A vehicle makes its way down Highway 49 in the South Yuba River Canyon in Nevada City, Calif., Tuesday evening, Feb. 26, 2019. Torrential rain from a winter storm that has also dumped heavy snow in mountainous areas prompted California authorities to order mandatory evacuations for two dozen small communities north of San Francisco.

A vehicle makes its way down Highway 49 in the South Yuba River Canyon in Nevada City, Calif., Tuesday evening, Feb. 26, 2019. Torrential rain from a winter storm that has also dumped heavy snow in mountainous areas prompted California authorities to order mandatory evacuations for two dozen small communities north of San Francisco.The Union via APElias Funez








Eugene Water and Electric Board electric troubleshooter Brian Shepherd cuts a limb while trying to free it from a line as electrician Matt VanCurler monitors traffic on Friendly Street Tuesday, February 26, 2019, in Eugene, Ore. The utility is working to restore power outages caused by the heavy snowfall in the region Monday.

Eugene Water and Electric Board electric troubleshooter Brian Shepherd cuts a limb while trying to free it from a line as electrician Matt VanCurler monitors traffic on Friendly Street Tuesday, February 26, 2019, in Eugene, Ore. The utility is working to restore power outages caused by the heavy snowfall in the region Monday.The Register-Guard via APAndy Nelson








Lisa Laroe of Creswell, carries a propane bottle to her vehicle as other people lineup at the 76 gas station Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019, in Creswell, Ore. The station has had a steady stream of people all day filling gas tanks and propane bottles as another snow storm moves through the Willamette Valley.

Lisa Laroe of Creswell, carries a propane bottle to her vehicle as other people lineup at the 76 gas station Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019, in Creswell, Ore. The station has had a steady stream of people all day filling gas tanks and propane bottles as another snow storm moves through the Willamette Valley.The Register-Guard via APChris Pietsch








A person huddles under an umbrella as rain falls in Sacramento, Calif., Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019.

A person huddles under an umbrella as rain falls in Sacramento, Calif., Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019.Rich PedroncelliAP Photo








High winds caused havoc for a man using an umbrella as rain pelted Sacramento, Calif., Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019.

High winds caused havoc for a man using an umbrella as rain pelted Sacramento, Calif., Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019.Rich PedroncelliAP Photo








Residents of Armstrong Woods Road evacuate as the water rises north of Guerneville, Calif., Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019. The town of Guerneville and some two dozen other communities are at risk of flooding from the Russian River north of San Francisco, which hit flood stage Tuesday evening and was expected to peak Wednesday morning at more than 46 feet - the highest point in nearly a quarter-century.

Residents of Armstrong Woods Road evacuate as the water rises north of Guerneville, Calif., Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019. The town of Guerneville and some two dozen other communities are at risk of flooding from the Russian River north of San Francisco, which hit flood stage Tuesday evening and was expected to peak Wednesday morning at more than 46 feet – the highest point in nearly a quarter-century.The Press Democrat via APKent Porter








Residents along Armstrong Woods Road head back to their home after the road became impassable to most vehicles, Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019 in Guerneville, Calif. Thousands of people along a flooded river were under evacuation orders Wednesday as a relentless storm pounded Northern California, drenching the San Francisco Bay Area and pummeling the Sierra Nevada with snow.

Residents along Armstrong Woods Road head back to their home after the road became impassable to most vehicles, Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019 in Guerneville, Calif. Thousands of people along a flooded river were under evacuation orders Wednesday as a relentless storm pounded Northern California, drenching the San Francisco Bay Area and pummeling the Sierra Nevada with snow.The Press Democrat via APKent Porter








Tim Russell of Guerneville attempts to pull a motorist from Armstrong Woods Road after it became inundated in Guerneville, Calif., Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019, but Russell became stuck himself. The town of Guerneville and some two dozen other communities are at risk of flooding from the Russian River north of San Francisco, which hit flood stage Tuesday evening and was expected to peak Wednesday morning at more than 46 feet - the highest point in nearly a quarter-century.

Tim Russell of Guerneville attempts to pull a motorist from Armstrong Woods Road after it became inundated in Guerneville, Calif., Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019, but Russell became stuck himself. The town of Guerneville and some two dozen other communities are at risk of flooding from the Russian River north of San Francisco, which hit flood stage Tuesday evening and was expected to peak Wednesday morning at more than 46 feet – the highest point in nearly a quarter-century.The Press Democrat via APKent Porter








Tony Harley, middle, helps a friend evacuate belongings Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019, in Rio Nido, in Sonoma County, Calif., as the Russian River nears flood stage. The town of Guerneville and some two dozen other communities are at risk of flooding from the Russian River north of San Francisco, which hit flood stage Tuesday evening and was expected to peak Wednesday morning at more than 46 feet - the highest point in nearly a quarter-century.

Tony Harley, middle, helps a friend evacuate belongings Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019, in Rio Nido, in Sonoma County, Calif., as the Russian River nears flood stage. The town of Guerneville and some two dozen other communities are at risk of flooding from the Russian River north of San Francisco, which hit flood stage Tuesday evening and was expected to peak Wednesday morning at more than 46 feet – the highest point in nearly a quarter-century.The Press Democrat via APKent Porter








Missoula the dog, right, drags owner Susan Flynn down the side of Skinner Butte overlooking Eugene, Ore., Wednesday Feb. 27, 2019, after a second snow storm passed through the Willamette Valley.

Missoula the dog, right, drags owner Susan Flynn down the side of Skinner Butte overlooking Eugene, Ore., Wednesday Feb. 27, 2019, after a second snow storm passed through the Willamette Valley.The Register-Guard via APChris Pietsch








Katie Wright works to unbury her car in her Springfield, Ore. neighborhood Wednesday Feb. 27, 2019. "I was excited when it first started snowing, but now I'm pretty much over it," she said Wednesday.

Katie Wright works to unbury her car in her Springfield, Ore. neighborhood Wednesday Feb. 27, 2019. “I was excited when it first started snowing, but now I’m pretty much over it,” she said Wednesday.The Register-Guard via APChris Pietsch








Rising flood water makes its way onto River Road Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019, in Forestville, Calif. A river in Northern California's wine country has reached flood stage and forecasters expect it to rise even more as a winter storm lashes the region. The National Weather Service says the Russian River in Sonoma County topped 32 feet Tuesday evening and it could crest at more than 46 feet by Wednesday night.

Rising flood water makes its way onto River Road Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019, in Forestville, Calif. A river in Northern California’s wine country has reached flood stage and forecasters expect it to rise even more as a winter storm lashes the region. The National Weather Service says the Russian River in Sonoma County topped 32 feet Tuesday evening and it could crest at more than 46 feet by Wednesday night.Eric RisbergAP Photo








A vineyard along River Road is completely flooded Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019, near Forestville, Calif. A river in Northern California's wine country has reached flood stage and forecasters expect it to rise even more as a winter storm lashes the region. The National Weather Service says the Russian River in Sonoma County topped 32 feet Tuesday evening and it could crest at more than 46 feet by Wednesday night.

A vineyard along River Road is completely flooded Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019, near Forestville, Calif. A river in Northern California’s wine country has reached flood stage and forecasters expect it to rise even more as a winter storm lashes the region. The National Weather Service says the Russian River in Sonoma County topped 32 feet Tuesday evening and it could crest at more than 46 feet by Wednesday night.Eric RisbergAP Photo








A group of men walk by a stranded car in flood water outside the Farmhouse Inn Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019, in Forestville, Calif. The National Weather Service says the Russian River in Sonoma County topped 32 feet Tuesday evening and it could crest at more than 46 feet by Wednesday night.

A group of men walk by a stranded car in flood water outside the Farmhouse Inn Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019, in Forestville, Calif. The National Weather Service says the Russian River in Sonoma County topped 32 feet Tuesday evening and it could crest at more than 46 feet by Wednesday night.Eric RisbergAP Photo








A vineyard along River Road is flooded Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019, near Forestville, Calif. A river in Northern California's wine country has reached flood stage and forecasters expect it to rise even more as a winter storm lashes the region. The National Weather Service says the Russian River in Sonoma County topped 32 feet Tuesday evening and it could crest at more than 46 feet by Wednesday night.

A vineyard along River Road is flooded Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019, near Forestville, Calif. A river in Northern California’s wine country has reached flood stage and forecasters expect it to rise even more as a winter storm lashes the region. The National Weather Service says the Russian River in Sonoma County topped 32 feet Tuesday evening and it could crest at more than 46 feet by Wednesday night.Eric RisbergAP Photo








A vineyard along River Road is flooded Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019, near Forestville, Calif. A river in Northern California's wine country has reached flood stage and forecasters expect it to rise even more as a winter storm lashes the region. The National Weather Service says the Russian River in Sonoma County topped 32 feet Tuesday evening and it could crest at more than 46 feet by Wednesday night.

A vineyard along River Road is flooded Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019, near Forestville, Calif. A river in Northern California’s wine country has reached flood stage and forecasters expect it to rise even more as a winter storm lashes the region. The National Weather Service says the Russian River in Sonoma County topped 32 feet Tuesday evening and it could crest at more than 46 feet by Wednesday night.Eric RisbergAP Photo








A man uses a paddle board to make his way through the flooded Barlow Market District Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019, in Sebastopol, Calif.

A man uses a paddle board to make his way through the flooded Barlow Market District Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019, in Sebastopol, Calif.Eric RisbergAP Photo








People paddle and row through the flooded Barlow Market District Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019, in Sebastopol, Calif.

People paddle and row through the flooded Barlow Market District Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019, in Sebastopol, Calif.Eric RisbergAP Photo








This photo provided by Jeff Bridges shows a flooded house in Guerneville, Calif. on Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019. Two communities in Northern California's wine country were accessible only by boat Wednesday after a rain-swollen river overflowed its banks following a relentless downpour across an already waterlogged region. The small city of Guerneville north of San Francisco "is officially an island," with the overflowing Russian River forecast to hit its highest level in about 25 years, the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office said in a statement. (Jeff Bridges via AP)

This photo provided by Jeff Bridges shows a flooded house in Guerneville, Calif. on Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019. Two communities in Northern California’s wine country were accessible only by boat Wednesday after a rain-swollen river overflowed its banks following a relentless downpour across an already waterlogged region. The small city of Guerneville north of San Francisco “is officially an island,” with the overflowing Russian River forecast to hit its highest level in about 25 years, the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. (Jeff Bridges via AP)








A man paddles past a submerged van in the flooded Barlow Market District parking lot Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019, in Sebastopol, Calif.

A man paddles past a submerged van in the flooded Barlow Market District parking lot Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019, in Sebastopol, Calif.Eric RisbergAP Photo








A man wades through the flooded Barlow Market District, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019, in Sebastopol, Calif.

A man wades through the flooded Barlow Market District, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019, in Sebastopol, Calif.Eric RisbergAP Photo








Two women and a dog look out at the flooded Barlow Market District, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019, in Sebastopol, Calif.

Two women and a dog look out at the flooded Barlow Market District, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019, in Sebastopol, Calif.Eric RisbergAP Photo








A man retrieves a chair floating in the parking lot of the Barlow Market District, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019, in Sebastopol, Calif.

A man retrieves a chair floating in the parking lot of the Barlow Market District, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019, in Sebastopol, Calif.Eric RisbergAP Photo








People unload sandbags in floodwater outside a market Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019, in Sebastopol, Calif.

People unload sandbags in floodwater outside a market Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019, in Sebastopol, Calif.Eric RisbergAP Photo








Jennifer Stewart, left, and Amy Holland dig their snow out of a snow bank after swerving to avoid a four-wheeler plowing snow on Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019, in an alley in Moscow, Idaho. The car was pulled out of the snow bank by a truck that plowing a nearby parking lot.

Jennifer Stewart, left, and Amy Holland dig their snow out of a snow bank after swerving to avoid a four-wheeler plowing snow on Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019, in an alley in Moscow, Idaho. The car was pulled out of the snow bank by a truck that plowing a nearby parking lot.Moscow-Pullman Daily News via APGeoff Crimmins








Shanna Allen, knocks the glove and sled out of the hands of her son Hollis, 6 while riding down the hill with her daughter Summer Allen, 8, and Kaiza Anglin, 7 at Timber-Linn Memorial Park in Albany, Ore., Wednesday Feb. 28, 2019. Several inches of snow blanked the mid-Willamette Valley Tuesday night into Wednesday morning.

Shanna Allen, knocks the glove and sled out of the hands of her son Hollis, 6 while riding down the hill with her daughter Summer Allen, 8, and Kaiza Anglin, 7 at Timber-Linn Memorial Park in Albany, Ore., Wednesday Feb. 28, 2019. Several inches of snow blanked the mid-Willamette Valley Tuesday night into Wednesday morning.Albany Democrat-Herald via APMark Ylen








People use a canoe to make their way through floodwaters Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019, in Sebastopol, Calif.

People use a canoe to make their way through floodwaters Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019, in Sebastopol, Calif.Eric RisbergAP Photo








This photo provided by Jeff Bridges shows an SUV submerged along a flooded street in Guerneville, Calif. on Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019. Two communities in Northern California's wine country were accessible only by boat Wednesday after a rain-swollen river overflowed its banks following a relentless downpour across an already waterlogged region. The small city of Guerneville north of San Francisco "is officially an island," with the overflowing Russian River forecast to hit its highest level in about 25 years, the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office said in a statement. (Jeff Bridges via AP)

This photo provided by Jeff Bridges shows an SUV submerged along a flooded street in Guerneville, Calif. on Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019. Two communities in Northern California’s wine country were accessible only by boat Wednesday after a rain-swollen river overflowed its banks following a relentless downpour across an already waterlogged region. The small city of Guerneville north of San Francisco “is officially an island,” with the overflowing Russian River forecast to hit its highest level in about 25 years, the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. (Jeff Bridges via AP)








This photo provided by Jeff Bridges shows flooded streets in Guerneville, Calif. on Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019. Two communities in Northern California's wine country were accessible only by boat Wednesday after a rain-swollen river overflowed its banks following a relentless downpour across an already waterlogged region. The small city of Guerneville north of San Francisco "is officially an island," with the overflowing Russian River forecast to hit its highest level in about 25 years, the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office said in a statement. (Jeff Bridges via AP)

This photo provided by Jeff Bridges shows flooded streets in Guerneville, Calif. on Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019. Two communities in Northern California’s wine country were accessible only by boat Wednesday after a rain-swollen river overflowed its banks following a relentless downpour across an already waterlogged region. The small city of Guerneville north of San Francisco “is officially an island,” with the overflowing Russian River forecast to hit its highest level in about 25 years, the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. (Jeff Bridges via AP)








This photo posted on Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019 by the Oregon Department of Transportation shows a mudslide known as the Hooskanadan slide that has closed U.S. Highway 101 near Brookings, Ore. The ODOT says the slide continues to move at a rate of nearly two feet an hour. (Oregon Department of Transportation via AP)

This photo posted on Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019 by the Oregon Department of Transportation shows a mudslide known as the Hooskanadan slide that has closed U.S. Highway 101 near Brookings, Ore. The ODOT says the slide continues to move at a rate of nearly two feet an hour. (Oregon Department of Transportation via AP)








Jonathan Von Renner checks on his son Jonathan Jr., and friend Emilio Ontivares in lower Guerneville, Calif., Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019. Two Northern California communities are accessible only by boat after a rain-swollen river overflowed its banks following a relentless downpour. The Sonoma County Sheriff's Office says Guerneville, "is officially an island" and another nearby town was also isolated by floodwaters.

Jonathan Von Renner checks on his son Jonathan Jr., and friend Emilio Ontivares in lower Guerneville, Calif., Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019. Two Northern California communities are accessible only by boat after a rain-swollen river overflowed its banks following a relentless downpour. The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office says Guerneville, “is officially an island” and another nearby town was also isolated by floodwaters.The Press Democrat via APKent Porter








Jonathan Von Renner greets Jesse James at the Sycamore Court Apartments in Guerneville, Calif., Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019. The night before, James moved to higher ground, only to find the water rose to cover the floor of the apartment. James was taken to dry land by the Russian River Fire swift water rescue team.

Jonathan Von Renner greets Jesse James at the Sycamore Court Apartments in Guerneville, Calif., Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019. The night before, James moved to higher ground, only to find the water rose to cover the floor of the apartment. James was taken to dry land by the Russian River Fire swift water rescue team.The Press Democrat via APKent Porter








Ryan Lance, front, and Anthony Nash of the Russian River Fire Protection District swift water rescue team rescue residents of Sycamore Court Apartment Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019, in lower Guerneville, Calif. Officials say flood waters have inundated the California town north of San Francisco and that the community is now only accessible by boats after a rain-swollen river overflowed its banks.

Ryan Lance, front, and Anthony Nash of the Russian River Fire Protection District swift water rescue team rescue residents of Sycamore Court Apartment Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019, in lower Guerneville, Calif. Officials say flood waters have inundated the California town north of San Francisco and that the community is now only accessible by boats after a rain-swollen river overflowed its banks.The Press Democrat via APKent Porter