How to resolve AdBlock issue? The National Weather Service issued the flash flood watch for portions of Lake and Mendocino counties until 7 p.m. Wednesday.
A flash flood watch means that conditions may develop that lead to flash flooding, officials said.
The agency said scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms may produce intense rainfall that may cause debris flows and flash flooding in these areas. Areas of particular concern are Bartlett Creek, Soap Creek, the north fork of Cache Creek and Scotts Creek.
The forecast says the highest rainfall may occur in Lake County, resulting in isolated debris flows and flooding in the vast burn area.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office had reported early Wednesday afternoon that, if it appeared as though the storm system may produce flash flooding or debris flows, the National Weather Service would upgrade the flash flood watch to a flash flood warning and issue alerts via the Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alert.
That’s what happened just after 1 p.m., when a flash flood warning was issued until 4 p.m. for northwestern Colusa, northern Lake County and southwestern Glenn County, all areas hit by the Mendocino Complex.
Officials said a flash flood warning means that a flash flood is imminent or occurring and that the public in the warning area should take immediate action.
The National Weather Service said that, at approximately 12:58 p.m., Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms with heavy rain across portions of the Mendocino Complex burn scar.
As a result, “Flash flooding with debris flows are likely in the next few hours,” the National Weather Service said in its flash flood warning.
Slides are expected particularly in the steep terrain where the fire burned, removing vegetation for hundreds of thousands of acres.
Forecasters said that in hilly terrain there are hundreds of low water crossings which are potentially dangerous in heavy rain. The public is warned not to attempt to cross flooded roads, and to seek higher ground.
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