Dozens of Crashes Snarl Traffic

With heavy rain in the area, there have been more than two dozen vehicle collisions in Sonoma County, none involving serious injuries, since early this morning, a California Highway Patrol spokesman said.

CHP officers have responded to 27 collisions in the county since 6 a.m. this morning, CHP Officer Jon Sloat said.

Five collisions on southbound U.S. Highway 101 at Kastania Road south of Petaluma caused significant traffic backups in both directions of the highway, Sloat said. One driver who suffered minor injuries was extricated from the vehicle and taken to Petaluma Valley Hospital, Sloat said.

Several mud and rock slides have been cleared and there also were multiple reports of trees down in Sonoma County, Sloat said.

Trees were blocking Graton Road near Green Hill Road, in the 1600 block of Austin Creek Road and at Occidental Road at Barlow Road in west Sonoma County, Sloat said.

Mill Creek Road five miles north of Westside Road also was flooded.

There were also backups on Highway 101 in Marin County between Delong Avenue in Novato to Sausalito and highway speeds were under 10 mph, Sloat said. Motorists are advised to call 511 for updates on road conditions or check the CHP’s website, Sloat said.

--Bay City News