Bay Area storm watch: Evacuations in San Francisco as 100-foot tree threatens to topple
A downed tree on Lower Great Highway in San Francisco on Oct. 24, 2021.
San Francisco Recreation and Park Department/HandoutLATEST Oct. 24, 3:43 p.m. Strong gusts of wind in conjunction with heavy rain caused at least two big rigs to topple over on the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge Sunday, resulting in an overturned tractor trailer and a traffic collision on I-580 going westbound, according to a statement from the California Highway Patrol's Marin branch. Large profile vehicles such as semi-trucks and box trucks will now be restricted from entering,
Vehicles "will be turned around at the Main Street/San Quentin exit" in the eastbound direction, the CHP said, noting it would help drivers re-route themselves and provide updates as circumstances change.
The overturned trucks blocked the left and center lanes of traffic, according to Caltrans. Motorists should expect delays and are advised to avoid the area, using alternate routes where possible. It's not clear when the roadway will reopen.
Additionally, the CHP reported "a severe traffic alert and a traffic collision with injuries on westbound I-580 east of I-680 S in Pleasanton."
Severe weather conditions also cancelled the San Francisco Bay Ferry route at 3:55 p.m. departing from Main Street Alameda to San Francisco.
Updates on road conditions can be found here.
Oct. 24, 3 p.m. Evacuations prompted by creek flooding are underway in the North Bay.
"Residents in and around the areas of Neotomas Avenue and Tachevah Drive, Brookhaven Drive, Tuscan Drive and Washoe Court need to remove belongings from the first floors of their homes and garages due to significant flooding and rising waters and evacuate the area," the Santa Rosa Fire Department said in a statement. "Firefighters from our swift water rescue team will be going door to door to also provide this instruction."
The department is warning all Santa Rosa residents near creeks and low-lying areas be ready to leave, if necessary. Fire officials are updating evacuation orders here.
ALSO READ: Here's where you can track where it's flooding in the Bay Area right now
Oct. 24, 2 p.m. Falling trees are causing hazards in San Francisco Sunday.
The Lower Great Highway is currently closed between Moraga and Lawton due to a downed tree. Crews are working to clear the area and reopen the road. There is another closure at Lincoln and 19th on the edge of Golden Gate Park, where a fallen tree took out power lines. Traffic is blocked in all directions.
In Forest Hill, the San Francisco Fire Department issued a mandatory evacuation for the 2176-2178-2184 block of 9th Avenue. A 100-foot tree is beginning to lean dangerously, threatening at least three structures.
A 100-foot tree is threatening three structures on 9th Avenue in San Francisco as an atmospheric river swept the region on Oct. 24, 2021.
San Francisco Fire Department/HandoutShortly before 2 p.m., a tree fell on an occupied vehicle at Lombard and Presidio. The people were able to safely escape the car without help from firefighters. The fire department said there are some traffic delays in the area as a result of the downed tree, however.
Heavy wind took out some scaffolding at Natoma and 9th in SOMA earlier this morning; luckily, no injuries were reported.
With gusting winds, falling trees and relentless rain, PG&E's outage map showed 66,000 households across the San Francisco Bay Area are without power. The utility said on on Twitter just after 11 a.m., "Crews are working safely and quickly as possible to restore customers."
Oct. 24, 10:30 a.m. The Bay Area's National Weather Service office has issued a flood warning across the North Bay and Marin County. The warning extends to Cloverdale in the north, Tiburon in the south, Highway 1 to the west and Napa to the east. If you encounter flooded roads, do not attempt to cross them by foot or in a vehicle.
The flood warning is in also effect for urban areas and small streams in southwest Santa Rosa, Sebastopol, Forestville and Graton. Some creeks and streams are already near flood stages in the North Bay, the National Weather Service's Bay Area office indicated.
"Water levels are on the rise in many of our creeks right now due to the storm. Please stay away from the edges of these fast-moving waterways," the Santa Rosa Fire Department posted on Twitter. "This footage was taken this morning at Flat Rock Park at the confluence of Brush and Santa Rosa creeks which was mostly dry a week ago."
The flood warning was set to expire at 11 a.m., but has been extended to 5 p.m. Sunday. A flood warning along the Napa River is in effect until 8 p.m. tonight.
Oct. 24, 8:10 a.m. Flooding at the Bay Bridge toll plaza in Oakland was reported by the California Highway Patrol. The west plot is "completely flooded," the CHP said.
Heavy rain at the Bay Bridge toll plaza on Oct. 24, 2021. The image was taken from a Caltrans traffic camera.
Caltrans via screenshotAs the sun rises over the Bay Area, there's widespread flooding being reported across the region; Ashby Avenue in Berkeley is completely closed from Seventh Street to the highway onramp. Standing water is collecting on highways and streets, and drivers are urged to be extremely cautious if they must take to the roads today.
The latest road closures can be found via CHP's traffic incident log.
Oct. 24, 5:40 a.m. The National Weather Service issued an urban and small stream flood advisory for east central Marin County, southwestern Napa County and eastern Sonoma County through 10:15 a.m. Sunday.
Overflowing poor drainage areas had already caused minor flooding in these areas as of 5:30 a.m. Between 1 and 3 inches of rain have fallen, the weather service said.
"Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads," the weather service warned. "Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads."
Oct. 24, 5:30 a.m. The National Weather Service said Sunday morning the storm remained on track as forecast although rainfall values are over-performing: Several locations around the San Francisco Bay Area have already recorded more rain than expected in the last 12 hours.
The weather service posted at 5:14 a.m. on Twitter that Mount Tamalpais recorded over 6 inches of rainfall in the last 12 hours.
As of 5 a.m., the downtown San Francisco gauge has recorded 3.47 inches of rain since Oct. 1. This makes 2021 the fifth-wettest October on record for San Francisco and wettest October since 1972, with the heaviest rain of this storm system yet to come.
Oct. 24, 5 a.m. San Francisco Public Works is distributing free sandbags to residents Sunday, Oct. 24 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Operations Yard at the Marin Street-Kansas Street gate. Get more details from Public Works.
— The latest storm updates can be found here.
— Bay Area weather service increases projected rain totals
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— Everything to know about the atmospheric river aimed for the Bay Area
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