Sunday Noon Update: Atmospheric River Effects To Continue Into Monday Morning

With photos by Cody Loflin

The Susan River is gaining strength rapidly this afternoon, predicted by the National Weather Service to hit flood stage at about 2:00p.m., with minor to moderate flooding in the forecast. The river is expected to rise to near 12.9 feet by late Sunday evening before falling below flood stage by early Monday morning.

Historically when the river rises to 12.5 feet, minor to moderate flooding occurs in Susanville from Lassen street downstream along Riverside Drive. Several homes will be affected along the river, especially on Carroll street.

Moderate lowland flooding is predicted below Susanville in Johnstonville, Leavitt Lake, Standish and Litchfield areas. Rural roads and bridges begin to flood at the 12.5 foot level.

Here at SusanvilleStuff and Lassen Weather Network we will continue keeping a very close eye on the dangerous storm, bringing you updates as they become necessary.

Live Hydrology Readings from the Lassen Street Bridge on the Susan River

The Weather Forecast

Forecasters from the NWS Office in Reno are expecting heavy rain and freezing rain to continue this afternoon. Highs here in the valley will range between 43 to 48. South winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 45 mph.

The heavy rain will turn to rain and snow after midnight with the snow level lowering to 6,500 feet. On Monday temperatures turn colder and forecasters are predicting 2 to 6 inches of snow here on the valley floor.

More atmospheric river storms are piling up in the pacific, promising a wet week here in northeastern California.

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.

With the recent surge in sales sand bags may not be available according to the Susanville Fire Department. If you do not have access to sand bags another option is to build a temporary levee with sand and plastic sheets. Heavy plastic is recommended (6 – 10 mil).

• roll out your plastic where it is needed
• build a levee as large as required
• fold the remaining plastic over the sand (to protect it from erosion)
• use sand bags, if available, or other objects to hold the top layer of plastic in place (e.g. – rocks, bricks, anything that will not erode or wash away)

Another tip to prevent flooding it to keep drain ages clear. Ice buildup can quickly cause water to find other routes to flow. Shoveling out gutters and drains can allow water to flow away as intended.

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

For more information you can always find current conditions at LassenWeatherNetwork.com.