🌱 Healdsburg Storm Latest + More River Pics + Winter Sports Update

Hey, everybody! I'm back in your inbox during a break in the rain today to give you the lowdown on what's happening in our beautiful community. Today's issue includes news about:

• The storm, of course
• A surprising development at our local water reservoirs
• Some outstanding play from Healdsburg High's winter sports teams
• Much more...

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But first, your local weather:

• Monday: Partly sunny. Heavy rain, wind and possible thunderstorms returning at night. High: 59 Low: 46.
• Tuesday: More rain, wind and possible thunderstorms. High: 53 Low: 46.

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Air over Healdsburg:

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Here are the top 3 stories today in Healdsburg:

1. Well, we made it through another night of crazy rain, wind, thunder and lightning. The forecast shows we'll likely get another round tonight; the days-long "flood watch" is still in effect through 4 p.m. tomorrow. And while there's also still a county-issued "evacuation warning" in effect for people living along the Russian River in "unincorporated south Healdsburg" — meaning "be ready to evacuate" — weather officials have further softened their predictions for how high the river will rise over the next few days of rain. It's now expected to peak this afternoon at just over 18 feet in Healdsburg, then slowly recede, which would keep it below the "monitor" stage on the flood scale. Night before last, Healdsburg city officials say crews "worked throughout the night to respond to several calls for flooding roadways, a fallen tree, and branches down" — including "a downed power line at Reed Court." They say "power has since been restored and the roadway is now open." You can call the city's 24-hour "emergency utility hotline" at (707) 431-7000 if you spot any other storm-related damage. (City of Healdsburg via Facebook & Sonoma Sheriff via Facebook & National Weather Service)
2. Meanwhile — Lake Mendocino, our main source of water here in Healdsburg, is officially full! Meaning the agency in charge of it, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, is now diverting water into the "flood control pool," according to county officials. Here's the full announcement this morning from the Corps: "The series of recent storms has resulted in substantial increased pool elevations at Lakes Mendocino and Sonoma and unfortunately flooding on the Russian River. The... current plan is to continue to hold back water during the remaining series of storms this week. Both dams and the lakes they impound combine to regulate just 18% of the Russian River Watershed. They function to restrict additional water from entering the river during periods of high flows, to allow for a managed flood control release to the river after the threat to downstream communities recedes. The years-long drought has enhanced the ability of the lakes to simply do what they do, and absorb all of the recent flows and restore historically low lake levels. Given the anticipated additional rain forecast for this week, the District anticipates the likelihood for flood control release would occur at Lake Mendocino no earlier than Thursday January 12, 2023, while no flood control releases at Lake Sonoma are anticipated in the next week. The current outlook, and any changes due to updated forecasts, will continue to be coordinated with Sonoma Water, City of Ukiah, and other partners and communities downstream of our lakes." Which we assume includes the City ofHealdsburg! (County of Sonoma via Facebook & US Army Corps of Engineers via Facebook)
3. Let's take a breather with some non-storm-related news, shall we? Several of our Healdsburg High School sports teams are doing pretty great this winter season, according to the Healdsburg Tribune — especially girls soccer. From the Trib: "The Greyhound girls soccer team is having a dominant year so far, running up a 5-0 record and outscoring opponents 22-2. Healdsburg trounced Cloverdale 8-0 in the last game of 2022, on Dec. 15; that followed a 6-0 walk over St. Vincent. Their next challenger is St. Helena on Monday, Jan. 9; their next home game is Friday, Jan. 13 against Rancho Cotate." The boys team isn't far behind, with four wins, one loss and a tie. They play the Santa Rosa Panthers tomorrow night at home. As for basketball: Although neither the boys nor girls team won at REIBT, they're having strong early seasons as well. Both teams have reportedly won their few league games so far and are vying for the No. 1 spot in the league. The boys play Rancho Cotate at home tomorrow, then both the boys and girls play Santa Rosa away the next day. From the PD: "It looks like Healdsburg has a challenger in the NBL-Redwood as Santa Rosa has rattled off seven straight wins. The Panthers and Greyhounds will meet for the first time in league play this coming Wednesday." (Healdsburg Tribune & MaxPreps & Press Democrat; paywall)

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Today and tomorrow in Healdsburg:

Monday, January 9

• Deadline to Apply for Open Spot on the Healdsburg City Parks & Rec Commission (5:30PM)
• AVFilm Hosts "Through This Lens" Film Screening & Discussion at Young & Yonder Spirits: "After the Wedding" by Susanne Bier (5:30-8:30PM)
• Asistencia de Registrar Para el Colegio / School Registration Assistance at Corazón Healdsburg (5:45PM)
• Healdsburg Chorus Hosts First Rehearsal of the Spring Season at the Healdsburg Community Church (6:30-8:30PM)

Tuesday, January 10

• Sonoma County "Mom Walk Collective" Takes on Healdsburg's Foss Creek Trail (10AM)
• After-School "Mixed Media" Art Lab for Kids Aged 6-8 at the Healdsburg Center for the Arts (Jan. 10-Feb. 14, 3:30-5:30PM)
• "Family Is a Rainbow" Event for Queer Families & Allies With Kids Aged 3-8 at the Healdsburg Library (4PM)
• Healdsburg Running Company "Trail Sisters" Host Fitch Mountain Run (6PM)
• Healdsburg High School Boys Soccer Home Game Vs. Santa Rosa (7PM)
• Healdsburg High School Boys Basketball Home Game Vs. Rancho Cotate (7:30PM)

Note from Simone: Probably best to check with organizers before attending any of the above events, especially the outdoor ones, in case they're canceled due to weather.

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Healdsburg pics of the day, abundant river edition:

Note from Simone: Want to see your own local photo featured in the Healdsburg Patch newsletter? You can send one to me here. Please just confirm in your email that you took it, and that Patch has permission to republish it. 📸

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From my notebook:

• Relatives of the parents down in Occidental who lost their 2-year-old, Aeon Tocchini, when a redwood tree fell on their home last week during the storm have set up a GoFundMe to support them. "Any funds contributed will go to the funeral costs to honour and celebrate Aeon's life," the fundraising page says. "They will also help rebuild a young family. My brother has not only lost his precious son but also lost his home. Three redwood trees fell on his house and his truck during the storm. Your contributions will sow into a new home, a new vehicle, and they will go to supporting a family while they grieve their youngest son." (GoFundMe & AVFilm via Facebook)
• Quick reminder from Sonoma County health officials that you should steer clear of rising river and creek waters — and protect your stuff as well — as these waters are full of "hidden dangers" and contaminants. (County of Sonoma via Facebook)
• Here are the opening hours for Bollywood Kitchen, the new "Indian, Nepalese and Tibetan" restaurant that just opened in the Safeway shopping center: Every day except Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for lunch, then 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. for dinner. You can check out the restaurant's full menu on their website. (Love Healdsburg via Instagram & Bollywood Kitchen)
• Shop Local Healdsburg has a great blog post up on "Healdsburg native, writer and brand author Andrea Guevara," who "was once a single mom living on the poverty line and recovering from an abusive marriage" and is now a thriving entrepreneur doing book branding. Her redemption story is worth a read. (Shop Local Healdsburg & Shop Local Healdsburg via Instagram)
• And in case you missed it, the Press Democrat's year-end list of "23 locals to watch in 2023" included Healdsburg natural winemaker Kara Groom and AVFilm director Kathryn Hecht, otherwise known as the lady trying to bring a movie theater back to Healdsburg. (Press Democrat & Press Democrat; paywall)
• A future neighbor named Jackie Sherman says she's moving to Enso Village, the new Zen-inspired retirement community in the "North Village" development taking shape across from the Montage resort, later this year. And she's "looking forward to meeting local folks and learning more about the beautiful town 😍." Anyone wanna give her a warm Healdsburg welcome? (Patch Neighbor Posts)

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You're all caught up for today! See you right back here tomorrow for more.

— Simone Wilson

About me: I was born and raised in Healdsburg, CA, where I was the editor of the Healdsburg High School Hound's Bark. I have since worked as a local journalist for publications in San Diego, Los Angeles, New York City and the Middle East. I'm currently a senior product manager for Patch.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Healdsburg Daily? Contact me at simone.wilson@patch.com