ABC 7: West County Prepares for Incoming Storm

Published: January 03, 2023

At Sonoma Landworks in Guerneville, employee Blake Mattison was bouncing back and forth between filling up sandbags and tanks of propane for residents. Some residents said they were preparing for the possibility of being stuck in the home for as long as a week. "Our biggest danger is the creek overflowing," Susie McManus told ABC7 News.

Sonoma County District 5 Supervisor Lynda Hopkins said rivers and creeks across the county could crest, specifically the Russian River near Guerneville. On Tuesday afternoon, the National Weather Service issued a flood warning for the Russian River near Johnsons Beach. The county is also bracing for falling trees and widespread power outages.

"We are expecting a substantial amount of rain to fall in Sonoma County," Hopkins said. "The biggest concern that we have right now is that we have the potential now for gale force winds. On top of a really huge atmospheric river event."

Sonoma County Fire has these jet skis and inflatable rubber boats on standby ready to make rescues at a moment's notice.