St. Helena Opens Sandbag Stations As Storm Arrives In North Bay

ST. HELENA, CA — The St. Helena Public Works Department will begin making sandbags available to residents as the first storms of the season begin to form, city officials said Thursday afternoon.

Residents may pick up these sandbags at the end of Adams Street, and at the Crane Park parking lot between the tennis courts and the primary school. Sandbags and sand are provided at no cost, but residents are asked to bring shovels.

Sandbags can be found in the plastic receptacle located next to the sand pile. Residents are asked not to put trash, pet waste baggies or any other items in the sandbag receptacles.

If supplies run low, residents can contact City Hall during regular business hours, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 707-968-2658, or the St. Helena Police Department if it is after hours or weekends at 707-967-2850.

"As with all storms, we encourage you to be prepared in the event of a power outage or other event due to weather," city officials said."Please report incidents such as downed trees and downed power lines immediately to the St. Helena Police Department. Remember to keep clear from the area, as trees can shift, or a downed power line can be energized."

Special Weather Statement

Two storm systems are expected to impact the North Bay, Bay Area and Central Coast through Monday, according to a special weather statement late Thursday afternoon from the National Weather Service:

"Light rain is already falling in the North Bay and will continue overnight. A cold front will reach the North Bay after midnight and bring a band of rain through the Bay Area for the Friday morning commute.

"Inland locations that haven`t received much rain the last few days should expect to receive some light rainfall Friday morning. The morning commute will be adversely impacted with wet roadways. Slow down, use wipers and headlights and plan for extra time to reach your destination Friday morning.

"A brief break in the weather as dry weather returns Friday afternoon through Saturday afternoon. Use this window of time for any storm preparations.

"Light rain will start in the North Bay Saturday evening. By Sunday morning rain will become heavy in the North Bay as the long-awaited atmospheric river takes aim at Northern California. The band of heavy rain is then forecast to drift southward through the Bay Area during the day Sunday reaching the Santa Cruz Mountains by late afternoon.

"The heavy rain will then drift into the Central Coast by Sunday evening as precipitation begins to wind down across the greater Bay Area. Several inches of rainfall are forecast across the region with higher amounts in the hills. Now is the time to clear storm drains and gutters.

"In addition to heavy rain, a period of gusty winds will accompany the front on Sunday. Drought-stressed trees will be susceptible to toppling leading to possible power outages.

"Burn scars throughout the state will be prone to debris flows with likely significant impacts across the Sierra. Plan your travel accordingly. Rain will taper to showers by Monday."

Up-To-Date Weather Information For Napa County

The latest weather watches and warnings for Napa County, along with real-time rainfall and river-stem data is posted online at Napa.onerain.com. For doppler radar information for Napa County, go to Radar.weather.gov.