Rain causes traffic and flooding issues in Bay Area
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Rain causes traffic and flooding issues in Bay Area
Updated on: 2010-12-17 14:39:58
Residents prepare for storms to hit Santa Cruz Mountains
Updated on: 2010-12-17 22:03:38
Storm doesn't deter shoppers in Union Square
Updated on: 2010-12-18 03:22:50
Wind kicks up in Santa Cruz Mountains
Updated on: 2010-12-18 03:41:22
Throughout the Bay Area, local counties are urging residents to be prepared for a prolonged series of storms. Several sandbag pickup stations have been setup around the Bay Area to protect homes from potential flooding. Officials are also worried about those who don't have a home this weekend.
Rain didn't stop shoppers Friday night
The rain is already a nuisance for people trying to finish-up holiday errands and that's only going to get worse. There was enough rain on Friday night in San Francisco to cause a few hassles, but not enough to cause major problems.
Out west, city crews closed down the Great Highway between Lincoln and Sloat because of a small amount of flooding. They don't know why water collected in the road, the rain didn't seem that severe, but will investigate once the water subsides.
Aside from that, public work crews reported a quiet night. They said the brakes in the rain made all the difference, giving the water time to drain.
The rainy weather is hitting during a busy weekend of shopping and parties, but Union Square still looked full of life.
The most exciting call that ABC7 heard of was a fight that broke out between people that were fighting with their umbrellas. They were fighting over a taxi.
Sheltering the homeless
EHC Lifebuilders is one of the largest emergency shelter providers in Santa Clara County with 375 beds available at three cold weather sites. It plans to tap into all of its resources to help the homeless during this storm. The shelter expects to fill every one of its beds and then some.
"We're planning on going over numbers as need be and we're also planning to transport folks as necessary. When one shelter gets full, take them someplace else where there are more openings," said EHC Lifebuilders CEO Jenny Niklaus.
"They're predicting it's going to be really wet the next couple of days, so I'm going to stay at the facility and make sure I am warm and dry," said homeless veteran David Campbell.
Meantime, crews from the Santa Clara Valley Water District got a jump start on the storm. Wednesday, they used heavy machinery to clear creeks of fallen trees and debris that could cause potential flooding problems. It also placed web cams at vulnerable hot spots that include trash racks over the openings, to prevent creeks from becoming clogged.
Businesses are also worried. This is the last shopping weekend before Christmas. That could mean a lot of people just staying home and shopping online or heading to the indoor malls.
Residents prepare for storms to hit Santa Cruz Mountains
In San Carlos, shopkeepers and homeowners were stuffing sandbags on Friday in preparation for potential flooding problems that could come as a result of the upcoming storms.
Residents in the Santa Cruz Mountains are bracing for a heavy storm ahead. The public works department in that area is monitoring rain and river gages, and will have crews on standby in case there are any serious problems.
The storm's potential has a lot of people stocking up on supplies, flashlights, batteries and plastic. People in the Santa Cruz Mountains are generally more prepared than most. Many businesses and even homeowners have generators. Rough weather seems like a rite of passage.
In Boulder Creek the fire chief isn't so much worried about the rain, but the one-two punch storms like this often bring.
"I'm more concerned with the combination of the wind and rain. Then we'll have the downed trees, power lines, roads closed," says Boulder Creek Fire Chief Kevin McClish.
When it comes to wet roads, the California Highway Patrol is issuing the standard warnings: slow down, give yourself more time to get to your destination, and allow for more braking distance.
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Víctor Lei
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