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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Creeks are running high and more rain is on the way, but despite heavy rains throughout the day Thursday, county officials reported that no serious flooding or slide conditions had occurred by late afternoon.
Of particular concern have been the Valley, Rocky and Jerusalem fire burn areas, where so far officials said no slides or other problems have been reported.
“We're weathering this pretty good,” said Lori Price of Lake County Public Works Department late Thursday afternoon.
Price said that early Thursday morning there was a small amount of flooding on Eickhoff and Scotts Valley roads near Lakeport, but no road closures have so far been required.
However, the situation is anticipated to change, as the National Weather Service's Sacramento office posted weather models that anticipate heavy rains hitting the county late Thursday and into early Friday, bringing 1 to 2 inches of rain.
Lake County remains under a National Weather Service flood watch through 6 p.m. Sunday due to the heavy storms expected to continue into early next week.
The National Weather Service's 24-hour rainfall totals through 4:30 p.m. Thursday were as follows, in inches: Cobb – 1.90; Bear Canyon near Middletown, 2.93; Indian Valley Reservoir, 0.78; Kelseyville, 1.24; Lakeport – 1.13; Lower Lake – 1.01; Middletown – 2.24; Upper Lake – 1.40; Whispering Pines – 2.72.
The Lake County Department of Water Resources reported that creeks are rising, and peaks levels are expected to occur on Friday.
Shortly before 5 p.m. Thursday, Clear Lake was at 6.44 feet Rumsey, according to the US Geological Survey.
The California-Nevada River Forecast Center projected Clear Lake to reach its “full” level of 7.56 feet Rumsey this weekend, prompting a decision by Yolo County Flood Control and Water Conservation District and Lake County Water Resources to begin releasing water from the Cache Creek Dam on Wednesday morning, as Lake County News has reported.
Wet weather typically brings with it more vehicle wrecks on area roadways, which hadn't been the case by Thursday afternoon.
There were reports of a few noninjury incidents involving vehicles spinning off of Highway 20 near Walker Ridge east of Clearlake Oaks and near Blue Lakes Lodge west of Upper Lake Thursday afternoon, according to radio traffic.
In order to prepare for El Niño weather events, the Lake County Department of Public Works took significant steps in the wake of last year's wildland fires to prepare for the potential weather-related damage.
The county reported that streams and creeks were cleared of brush and debris, sandbags and muscle walls were placed in areas that had the potential for mudslides and erosion control was provided on lots that participated in the CalRecycle Debris Removal Operation.
Price said Public Works staff will be on the job throughout the night and she'll be updating the agency's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/groups/Lakecountydpw/ as conditions warrant.
Lake County News also will be posting updates on its Web site and social media accounts throughout the night.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
