This is live coverage of a developing story. This post will be updated as new information becomes available.
Update 9:04p.m. The Susan River has now dropped below major flood stage after cresting at slightly over 15 feet shortly after 5:00p.m. Susanville and the valley are still reeling from the immense amount of water working its way towards Honey Lake.
Shelter for Evacuees
Lassen County’s Health and Social Services Department opened a shelter for evacuees at Community Church of Susanville, 1400 Numa Road, Susanville, CA 96130. Those affected by the flooding can reach the shelter at (530) 331-0025 or [email protected].
It is asked for anyone going to the shelter to bring their medication and medical equipment (walkers, breathing machines, etc.), clothing for three days, and important papers such as insurance cards. In addition, the shelter is not providing medical care. Any caretakers must accompany you for the duration of your stay. Please keep in mind pets, weapons, drugs, alcohol, and personal bedding are not permitted at the shelter.
Large animals displaced by the floods can be taken to the fairgrounds in Susanville, California.
Road Closures
Several surface streets in town, and rural roads across the valley have been closed to motorists because of flood waters and dangerous conditions.
According to Lassen OES Chief Eric Ewing the effected roadways include:
South Lassen Street
Carroll Street
Riverside Drive at Safeway and Starbucks
Cut-Off Road in Litchfield
Alexander and Mapes in Standish
Dirt Wingfield
Roads throughout our area have been inundated with water and officials remind motorists to avoid driving through water that covers the roadway.
Update 5:15p.m.: Good news! According to the water gauge at the Lassen Street Bridge the river has begun to recede a bit, dropping several inches in the last hour. The river is still well into Major Flood Stage and flooding will be affecting the valley throughout the night and into Friday morning.
Update 3:38p.m. California Department of Water Resources is now expecting the Susan River to crest at 15.7 feet at 10:00p.m.
This will cause major flood damage from Susanville to Honey Lake…including Susanville…Johnstonville…Leavitt Lake…Standish and Litchfield areas. Flooding of homes…businesses and schools in flood plain throughout Honey Lake Valley…including Susanville. Extensive damage to transportation systems as roads…bridges and culverts are flooded or washed out. US Highway 395 is flooded. Major transportation…power…phone and rural water system impacts. Similar to January 31 1963 flood.
Update 3:20:
The California Highway Patrol has released a list of roads to avoid in the area because of weather conditions. This list is not all inclusive as more are added to the list on a consistent basis.
UPDATED ROADWAY CONDITIONS:
Leavitt Lane is closed due to flooding.
Richmond Road (between Circle Drive and Gold Run Road) is closed due to flooding.
SR-139 from Antelope Grade to Termo Grasshopper is closed due to flooding.
US-395 south from SR-36 to the Nevada state line has a high wind warning in effect. Vehicles over 9′ are PROHIBITED!!
Please DO NOT attempt to pass through flooded roadways!
For current roadway conditions, please call 1-800-427-7623 or go online to www.caltrans.ca.gov
Update 3:00p.m.
Video from the Susan River
Update 12:58:
Richmond Road is now closed from Gold Run to Circle Drive due to flooding according to OES Chief Eric Ewing.
Update 12:20p.m.:
Flood Preparations
According to the Susanville Fire Department residents who wish to get sandbags 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
Susanville
County of Lassen Residents
Susan River Fire District – Johnstonville Station
Hwy 359 I Johnstonville Rd
Johnstonville
Janesville Fire District – Main Station
Main St/ Sears Rd
Janesville
Lassen County Road Department – Standish Yard
Hwy 395
Standish
Lassen County Road Department – Doyle Yard
Doyle Loop
Doyle
Lassen County Road Department – Bieber Yard
Bridge St
Bieber
Lassen County Road Department-Westwood Yard
Hwy 36 and A-21
Westwood
Lassen County and City of Susanville emergency services are preparing additional emergency supplies and are prepared to deploy as needed. If residents feel their situation warrants an emergency response call 911, responders will assess the situation and take appropriate action.
Update 10:35: The Susan River has now risen above the 12 foot flood stage.
9:32a.m.
The National Weather Service office in Reno and the California Nevada River Forecast Center are now forecasting that the Susan River will crest at 14.1 feet Thursday evening at 10:00.
This is a dangerous situation. When the Susan River reaches 14 feet there is major flooding in Susanville, Johnstonville, Leavitt Lake, Standish and Litchfield.
At 14 feet Susanville floods from Lassen Street downstream along Riverside Drive and from Main Street on the north to the old railroad bed on south.
Many homes, businesses, schools, roads and bridges in the Honey Lake Valley area will flood.
At 14 feet flooding will cause serious transportation impacts. Impacts to power, phone, and rural water systems begin.
According to the CA Department of Water Resources this event will be similar to the February 24th, 1958 flood.
As of 9:27a.m. the river gauge at Lassen Street showed 11.8 feet. That is two inches below flood stage. The river is expected to hit Flood Stage of 12 feet at 11:00a.m.
The river will continue to rise throughout the afternoon, cresting tonight around 10:00 at a predicted 14.1 feet. More than two feet above flood stage.
This is live coverage of a developing story. This post will be updated throughout the storm as information becomes available.
Live Hydrology Readings from the Susan River
(This graph is continuously updated)
For more information you can always find current conditions at LassenWeatherNetwork.com.
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
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