Heavy Weekend Rain Causes Flooding
January 22, 1980
HEAVY RAINFALL which has caused problems throughout California, pushed the Susan River over its banks in some parts of Lassen County, while it was alarmingly swollen in some sections of Susanville. The above view of the river was taken near Carroll Street on Sunday.
The warm Pacific storm which dumped rain in the surrounding mountains left 2.65 inches of rain in Susanville, according to measurements taken at the Susanville Airport over the weekend.
Flooding closed Chapuis Lane, Leavitt Lane, County Road 315 and U.S. 395 between Standish and Litchfield in the Honey Lake Valley.
County Public Works Director Bill McIntosh said that up to a foot of water has been reported on roadways in some areas. Leavitt Lane reopened this morning, but U.S. 395 and the cutoff road between the highway and County Road A-27 remained closed.
Washouts closed State Route 32 through the Deer Creek Canyon Sunday but Caltrans officials said the highway could be reopened today. The closure was reported near Slate Creek, about five miles from the junction of St. Rt. 32 and St. Rt. 36.
Slides also caused traffic delays on St. Rt. 70 through the Feather River Canyon though the road remained opened to one-way traffic.
Most of the snowpack below the 7,000 foot level in the Sierra has been reportedly washed away, resulting in swollen rivers. Operations at the Coppervale ski area have been postponed since nearly all of the snow cover there is gone. (Advocate photo)
