It is shaping up to be a wild weekend here in the Honey Lake Valley with forecasters warning residents to prepare for snow, freezing rain and then a long period of torrential rains with snow levels rising to 9,500 feet. Beginning about 3:00 Sunday morning the Susan River is projected to rise eight feet, reaching a flood stage of twelve feet at about 10:00 that night.
Here is a rundown of the current forecast, details about the National Weather Service’s Flood Warning and information on where Susanville and Lassen County residents can fill sandbags.
Here at SusanvilleStuff and Lassen Weather Network we will be keeping a very close eye on the dangerous storm, bringing you updates as they become necessary.
The Weather Forecast
Forecasters at the National Weather Service’s Reno office are warning that today’s cold and dry air will transition to a strong atmospheric river event this weekend. Precipitation will start as snow in most areas Saturday morning, before changing to heavy rain through Monday.
In some mountain valleys, including the Honey Lake Valley, we could see a period of freezing rain before the changeover.
According to the NWS flooding looks probable for rivers, creeks and streams this weekend into early next week, and another atmospheric river is looking likely for the middle of next week with a couple of colder storms after that.
Flood Warning Issued for Susan River
The NWS has issued a Flood Warning for the Susan River with minor flooding expected. The atmospheric river will produce intense rainfall with snow levels near 9,000 feet Sunday and Sunday night. Saturated soils and some melting snow will combine to produce excess runoff and cause the Susan River to flood. Rain and snow levels will decrease on Monday.
Flood preparations should be completed by Saturday morning, before weather conditions deteriorate.
Never drive through flooded areas and always follow the directions of emergency officials.
The Susan River is expected to crest between 12 and 13 feet Sunday evening. At the 12.0 foot flood stage several homes on Carroll Street in Susanville begin to flood. Local flooding in Susanville is expected from Lassen Street downstream along Riverside Drive, especially below Paiute Creek which enters the river near Alexander Avenue.
There will also be moderate lowland flooding below Susanville in Johnstonville, Leavitt Lake, Standish and Litchfield with some rural roads affected by the water.
This compares to a crest of 13.3 feet on December 2nd, 2012 and 13.9 feet on December 31st, 2005.
Sandbagging and Flood Preparations
Lassen County and City of Susanville emergency services are preparing additional emergency supplies and are prepared to deploy resources as needed. If residents feel their situation warrants an emergency response call 911, responders will assess the situation and take appropriate action.
Residents who wish to get sandbags before the storm can do so by purchasing them from a local hardware or farm supply store. Sand has been provided for use at the following self-serve locations:
City of Susanville Residents
Susanville Fire Department
1505 Main St
County of Lassen Residents
Susan River Fire District – Johnstonville Station
Hwy 359 / Johnstonville Rd in Johnstonville
Janesville Fire District – Main Station
Main St / Sears Rd in Janesville
Lassen County Road Department – Standish Yard
Hwy 395 in Standish
Lassen County Road Department – Doyle Yard
Doyle Loop in Doyle
Bieber Memorial Hall
Bridge Street in Bieber
Westwood Community Services District
Ash St in Westwood
Here’s what you can do to prepare:
• Have a battery-operated or wind-up radio. Listen for storm and/or power outage updates.
• Clear gutters, drains, culverts, and drainages of debris, snow and ice.
• Secure outdoor furniture, trash cans, potted plants and other items.
• Ready supplies for a power outage, including flashlights, batteries and drinking water, along with nonperishable food.
• Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed. Food should stay good for 24 hours or longer.
• Never use barbecues indoors for cooking or heating. They produce fumes that can be deadly
• Charge cellphones and keep a corded phone handy. Most cordless phones lose their signal when the power goes out, and cellphone coverage can come and go.
• Use a flashlight, not candles.
• Keep flashlights in multiple places around the house
• Follow generator instructions to ensure proper use. Improperly connected generators create safety hazards inside and outside the home and present dangers to line electricians working on the electrical system.
• Never assume a downed power line is dead. Stay as far away from a downed line as possible, and keep children and pets at a safe distance.
• Immediately report downed lines by calling 911
• Report outages to your electricity provider.
• Turn off electrical equipment that was in use when the power outage occurred. But leave one light on
• Don’t go out if you don’t have to.
• Avoid flooded areas. Never cross a flooded road.
• Have sufficient medications on hand
Live Hydrology Readings from the Susan River
(This graph is continuously updated)
For more information you can always find current conditions at LassenWeatherNetwork.com.
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