Flash Flood Watch Issued For North Bay

NORTH BAY, CA – The first atmospheric river-fueled storm of the season is expected to make landfall Wednesday, dumping rain across the region.

The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning from 4 p.m. Wednesday to 3 a.m. Thursday for the North Bay interior valleys and mountains, including the cities and communities of Angwin, Lagunitas-Forest Knolls, Napa, Novato, Petaluma, Rohnert Park, San Rafael, Santa Rosa, South Santa Rosa and Woodacre.

"A flash flood watch means that conditions may develop that lead to flash flooding. Flash flooding is a very dangerous situation," the NWS warned the public on Tuesday. "You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should flash flood warnings be issued."

Heavy rainfall is expected in the areas of Napa and Sonoma counties that were scorched by a multiple wildfires in October. Forecast rain amounts will range from 1 to 2 inches for the North Bay valleys and 2 to 3 inches for the North Bay mountains with locally higher amounts possible, particularly for southwest-facing slopes, according to the NWS.

Because the impacted areas include the areas impacted by recent wildfires, there is an increased threat of debris flows, mudslides and flash flooding in and around the North Bay burn scars, according to the NWS.

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