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HomeLocal & Regional NewsPrepare Now: Susan River Flooding Expected as Waves of Moisture Impact Region

Prepare Now: Susan River Flooding Expected as Waves of Moisture Impact Region

weatherupdate

Forecasters from the National Weather Service office in Reno are warning Lassen County residents to prepare as a moderate to strong atmospheric river makes landfall today bringing heavy rain, strong winds and high elevation snow.

Flooding is expected on small streams in the Sierra and Sierra foothills as well as the Pit River, Middle Fork of the Feather River and the Susan River.

An additional storm Thursday into early Friday will bring another round of heavy rain, mountain snow and strong wind to the region.

Heavy Rain and Strong Winds Today

The heaviest precipitation is expected to occur over the next 12 hours with moderate precipitation along the Sierra crest continuing for an additional 12-18 hours.

According to NWS Meteorologists the moisture plume from the atmospheric river is currently wider than the Sierra is long!  The plume will narrow and move north, reaching northern California this evening with another wave of moisture. The next storm, Wednesday night into Thursday, strengthens the moisture plume and moves it back into the Sierra.

Winds today along the Sierra crest could reach extreme speeds, potentially gusting upwards of 150 mph. The wind forecast for our area and western Nevada remains a bit tricky according to forecasters. There will likely be lulls in the winds at the surface today with occasional very strong gusts.

More Storms and Flooding Quickly Follow

The late week storm is still on track with winds increasing again on Thursday, and another round of high winds possible through Thursday evening.

The first round of precipitation with this storm moves into northeast California and the Sierra crest Thursday morning, then increases in intensity as it moves south during the day to the Tahoe basin.

Snow levels Thursday will likely remain quite high, generally 8,000 – 8,500 feet from Tahoe northward into Lassen county.

This rain will likely produce another round of rises on area creeks and rivers, aggravating flood risk in the poor drainage areas already impacted from the early week storms.

One final low pressure system then moves south across northern California and spreads rain and snow to most areas Friday through Friday night, before pushing south of the region on Saturday. This system will bring more substantial cooling with a chance that snow levels could drop to 5,000 feet by Friday night.

Hydrologists at the California Nevada River Forecast Center are forecasting moderate flooding with a rise in the Susan River to just over 13 feet on Thursday night. For current conditions see the chart at the bottom of the story.

Flood Warnings – Susan River Predicted to Hit Moderate Flood Stage

The National Weather Service has issued a series of flood warnings for the Susan River as the moisture laden systems are expected to continue pounding our area into the weekend.

A flood warning for small streams for rain and snowmelt remains will be in effect  until 9:00 Tuesday night for Plumas, Sierra and western Lassen counties.

One to two inches of rain has already fallen according to the NWS, and additional heavy rain is expected today. Rapid snowmelt is also occurring and will add to the flooding.

Flooding tonight will be most serious in Big Valley including The Pit River and in the Sierra Valley. Other small creeks and streams may also see flooding through this evening.

Some locations that will experience flooding include… Graeagle, Sierraville, Plumas Eureka State Park, Blairsden, Beckwourth, Eagle Lake, Bieber, Chilcoot, Nubieber, Susanville, Lake Davis, Genesee, Johnsville, Mohawk Vista, grizzly campground, Janesville, Spaulding, Delleker, Crater Lake campground and Frenchman Lake.

Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches are possible in our area.

Thursday Flood Warning for the Susan River

The National Weather Service in Reno has issued a flood warning for the Susan River at Susanville from Thursday afternoon to late Friday night.

As of 8:00a.m. Tuesday the Susan River at the Lassen Street bridge was measured at just over 9 feet. Flood stage for the river is 12.0 feet and moderate flooding is forecast on Thursday and Friday.

NWS hydrologists expect the river to rise to near flood stage tonight before falling Wednesday and Wednesday night. The river will then rise again Thursday and go above flood stage by Thursday afternoon and continue to rise to near 13.2 feet by late Thursday evening.

The river will fall below flood stage by late Friday morning.

Historically at 13.0 feet moderate flooding occurs in Susanville from Lassen street downstream along Riverside Drive. Some homes along river have moderate flood affects, especially on Carroll street.

Below Susanville – in the Johnstonville, Leavitt Lake, Standish and Litchfield areas – significant lowland flooding is expected. Rural roads and bridges in these areas will flood.

At the moment the predicted crest on Thursday evening compares to flooding we experienced on the Susan River 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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