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NWS Again Issues Flood Warning for Susan River: Final Round of Heavy Precip Hits Tomorrow

weatherupdate

Strong Pacific storms will continue to impact the region through Friday according to forecasters at the National Weather Service’s Reno office, with another round of heavy rainfall, strong to potentially damaging winds and high elevation snow.

Flooding is expected to continue into the weekend for the Middle Fork of the Feather River, the Pit River and the Susan River.

Flooding for creeks, streams and poor drainage areas will be possible again as the final round of heavy precipitation moves across our corner of the state.

NWS Meteorologists explained in their most recent weather discussion that rain Wednesday was heavier than expected in portions of the Sierra and northeast California with several creeks and streams rising to monitor stage.

The snowpack is ‘ripe’ according to weather experts and it appears that rainfall is beginning to pass through the snow rather than being absorbed in several locations.

The next moderate to strong atmospheric river will arrive Thursday with snow levels running between 7,000 and 9,000 feet.

Because of the soggy, extremely saturated soils and fast-flowing runoff, rapid flood impacts are possible with only light to moderate precipitation rates.

Thursday’s storm will begin to impact the Sierra early in the day with a round of strong and  potentially damaging winds followed by rounds of heavy rain and
high elevation snow in the Sierra.

Ongoing precipitation will continue to produce flooding issues in the evening.

Wind Warnings

The strongest winds will be in the foothills and through the Hwy 395 / I-580 corridor where gusts up to 80mph will be possible.

Saying that this ‘could be the strongest wind event’ so far this season forecasters say sheltered locations may see gusts more in the 40 to 60 mph range during the peak winds. Wind gusts across ridges could exceed 150mph.

Winds look to peak Thursday morning, weakening by evening. These strong winds will produce travel restrictions for high-profile vehicles, power outages, life threatening boating conditions, and possible property damage such as fence damage and tree falls.

Rain and Snow

This storm will provide another round of heavy rain and heavy higher-elevation snowfall in the Sierra into Friday. A Winter Storm Warning has been issued for the Sierra, but with high snow levels this will be mostly rain for populated areas below 8,000 feet through the day on Thursday.

The main wave of heavy precipitation associated with the atmospheric river will slide south through Mono County by early Friday morning before snow levels drop to near western Nevada valley floors Friday evening. A second wave of moisture will push through Friday afternoon into evening so some light snowfall accumulations will be possible.

Flooding on the Susan River

The Flood Warning continues for the Susan River through Friday evening.

Moderate flooding is forecast as the river is predicted to rise above the 12.0 foot flood stage by early Thursday afternoon and continue to rise to near 13.1 feet by late Thursday evening. The river will fall below flood stage by early Friday morning.

When the Susan River reaches 13.0 feet moderate flooding occurs in Susanville from the Lassen Street bridge downstream along Riverside Drive. Significant lowland flooding will affect Johnstonville, Leavitt Lake, Standish and Litchfield areas. Rural roads and bridges in these parts of the valley flood.

This flooding will be similar to that we experienced in mid-January.

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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Susanville
clear sky
34.8 ° F
37.2 °
34.8 °
59 %
0.8mph
0 %
Mon
35 °
Tue
35 °
Wed
35 °
Thu
32 °
Fri
31 °
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