SONOMA COUNTY (KRON) — A flash flood warning has been issued for Sonoma County and northern Marin County due to the storm that is hitting the Bay Area Thursday.
The flash flood warning will be in effect until 5 p.m., according to the National Weather Service.
At 1253 PM PST, gauge reports indicated heavy rain falling across the warned area and creek gauges rising above flood stage. Flash flooding is already occurring. Automated stream gages have reported water levels rising above flood stage on Willow Brook in Penngrove Park in Petaluma, Sonoma Creek at Agua Caliente, Copeland Creek in Rohnert Park, Colgan Creek near Sebastopol, and other creeks in the lower Laguna de Santa Rosa west of the City of Santa Rosa. There have also been reports of flooding in other lowland valley settings in southern Sonoma County and northern Marin County, as well as roadway flooding.
Flood Safety Tips:
• Turn Around, Don’t Drown!
• Avoid walking or driving through flood waters
• Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down, and 2 feet of water can sweep your vehicle away.
• If there is a chance of flash flooding, move immediately to higher ground. Flash floods are the #1 cause of weather-related deaths in the U.S.
• If floodwaters rise around your car but the water is not moving, abandon the car and move to higher ground. Remain in the car if the water is moving.
• Avoid camping or parking along streams, rivers, and creeks during heavy rainfall. These areas can flood quickly and with little warning.