Alameda County Fair Canceled As 'Bomb Cyclone' Storm Hits

PLEASANTON, CA — A rainy "atmospheric river" storm struck the San Francisco Bay Area on Sunday, prompting coordinators to shutter the annual Alameda County Fair. The bustling county fair is one of the Bay Area's most popular attractions.

The fair, hosted in Pleasanton, was set to reopen Monday, when forecasters predict the storm will let up. After taking a year off during the pandemic, the Alameda County Fair reopened last week.

This year's theme is "Come Together."

READ MORE: Alameda County Fair Returns To Tri-Valley This Weekend

The Bay Area's storm, which was also classified as a "bomb cyclone," toppled trees and brought gusts of up to 58 mph in the East Bay Hills. The massive storm was expected to bring more rain to the Bay Area than any other storm in two years.

The storm was predicted to wallop much of the region, but bring much needed precipitation in a state plagued by extreme drought and wildfires.

Flash flood warnings were issued in several parts of the area and authorities were warning residents to take caution, especially for those who live near the burn scars of past wildfires.

Evacuation warnings were issued in San Mateo and Santa Cruz counties on Sunday.

"The Storm Door is officially open," the National Weather Service said last week.

Aside from fire impacted areas, residents who live on or below hillsides will be vulnerable to debris flows or mudslides this weekend, according to the California Department of Conservation.

Residents were urged to charge up cell phones and battery back ups, tie down outdoor furniture and trash cans. Emergency kits or "go bags" should also be prepared ahead of the story, officials said.

Californians celebrated when rain started falling earlier this week for the first time in any significant way since spring. The San Francisco International Airport set a record rainfall for Thursday, with 0.44 inches of rain tallied. The old record was 0.13 inches on the same day in 1970, the National Weather Service in the Bay Area tweeted.

READ MORE:

• NorCal Braces For 'Bomb Cyclone,' High Winds And Copious Rainfall
• Evacuation Warnings Issued For Parts Of San Mateo County
• Evacuation Warning Issued In Santa Cruz Co. As Huge Storm Looms

The Associated Press and Bay City News contributed to this report.