Go Back
  • For Business
  • |
  • Warnings
  • Data Suite
  • Forensics
  • Advertising
  • Superior Accuracy™
Flash flooding swamps Northeast metro areas as extreme rain threatens millions. Chevron right
Tropical rainstorm soaks Florida, could strengthen in Gulf before targeting Louisiana Chevron right

Columbus, OH

72°F
Location Chevron down
Location News Videos
Use Current Location
Recent

Columbus

Ohio

72°
No results found.
Try searching for a city, zip code or point of interest.
settings
Columbus, OH Weather
Today WinterCast Local {stormName} Tracker Hourly Daily Radar MinuteCast Monthly Air Quality Health & Activities

Around the Globe

Hurricane Tracker

Severe Weather

Radar & Maps

News

News & Features

Astronomy

Business

Climate

Health

Recreation

Sports

Travel

For Business

Warnings

Data Suite

Forensics

Advertising

Superior Accuracy™

Video

Winter Center

AccuWeather Early Hurricane Center Top Stories Trending Today Astronomy Heat Climate Health Recreation In Memoriam Case Studies Blogs & Webinars

News / Weather News

Thousands of homes, businesses flooded as water levels on Russian River in California begin to recede

By Chaffin Mitchell, AccuWeather staff writer & Kevin Byrne, AccuWeather senior editor

Published Feb 27, 2019 2:58 AM EDT | Updated Jul 1, 2019 5:00 PM EDT

Copied

Parts of California are inundated with flooding after several days of drenching rains, fueled by an atmospheric river. A helicopter captured this footage from Sonoma County on February 27.

Major flooding along the Russian River in Sonoma County, California, has prompted evacuations and left two towns accessible only by boat.

County officials issued a mandatory evacuation order for the Russian River area, following a massive mudslide near Monte Rio on Tuesday.

A state of emergency was declared for Sonoma, Amador, Glenn, Lake and Mendocino Counties on Thursday following the destructive flooding and mudslides.

Following relentless rainfall, the Russian River quickly surpassed major flood stage early Wednesday. On Wednesday night, the river exceeded 45 feet - nearly 14 feet above flood stage. The river is now receding.

A slow-moving storm moved into the West Coast, and brought heavy rainfall that has occurred over northern and central California [Monday and Tuesday], according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Frank Strait.

Russian River forecast to swell 14 feet above flood stage
Twitter

The Sonoma County Sheriff's Office urged people to "evacuate now if you live near the Russian River."

The sheriff's office said early Wednesday morning that all roads leading into the community of Guerneville are flooded.

"You cannot get into or out of town," officials said. "Guerneville is officially an island."

About 4,500 people live in the town and about half have evacuated, according to the Associated Press. Both Monte Rio and Guerneville are currently cut off from neighboring communities. At least 2,000 homes and businesses were flooded, the AP reported.

One woman suffering a serious medical issue had to be airlifted by helicopter to a nearby hospital on Wednesday, the sheriff's office said.

As water levels dropped on the river, so did the calls for assistance. The Guerneville Fire Department said it had no calls for rescues during the overnight hours on Thursday.

The National Guard was called to Guerneville in response to the major flooding.

National Guard headed in to Guerneville with kayaks as Russian River continues to rise. pic.twitter.com/RADybuXDQ2

— Amy Hollyfield (@amyhollyfield) February 27, 2019

A mudslide on Bohemian Highway has closed the roadway in both directions near Monte Rio, limiting driving options for those looking to evacuate due to flooding along the Russian River, officials said.

People were caught in that mudslide and workers helped to free them, according to ABC 7 news.

Survival story. #guerneville Kear Koch #abc7now pic.twitter.com/0EEDcKYN9x

— Wayne Freedman (@WayneFreedman) February 26, 2019

Bohemian Highway is one of two routes available for those evacuating. The only way out of the area now is through Highway 116, which runs along the swelling river.

Moscow Road closed approximately one mile west of Bohemian Highway. pic.twitter.com/BODD0lAdge

— Sonoma Sheriff (@sonomasheriff) February 27, 2019

According to NWS Bay Area, Santa Rosa obliterated the one-day rainfall record for the date with 5.66 inches. The old record was 1.82 inches set 100 years ago in 1919.

According to Strait, it is likely that even more rain fell in the mountains in Mendocino County, where the headwaters of the Russian River are located.

Significant rain to continue to approx 10pm in North Bay before the rain starts to shift to South Bay. Flood Warning remains in effect for all of Sonoma County. Heavy rain will continue to cause flooding around Sonoma County. Power outages are likely. https://t.co/8bMaCe6frW pic.twitter.com/M6RlSyKNl5

— Santa Rosa Fire Department (@SantaRosaFire) February 27, 2019

Dozens of mudslides were reported in Sonoma and Plumas counties through Tuesday night, many of which blocked lanes or entire portions of Highways 1, 116, 128 and 70.

A mobile home park in Shasta County had to be evacuated due to rising floodwaters. Many water rescues were executed as motorists found themselves stranded in as much as a foot of flowing water.

RELATED:

California to be battered by another vigorous storm this weekend
3 long-term health dangers that flooding can pose to affected communities
How to stay safe if you encounter wildlife after a flood

Another storm is set to batter the state from Friday into the weekend. AccuWeather meteorologists expect the heaviest rain to fall farther south.

"The first precipitation associated with the weekend storm should move onshore Friday night, with the bulk of the moisture streaming into the state on Saturday," said AccuWeather Meteorologist Kyle Elliott.

"Areas between San Francisco and Los Angeles are likely to receive the highest rainfall amounts, on the order of 1-3 inches," Elliott said. "So while Southern California escaped much of the weather from the Monday to Wednesday storm, the storm from Friday night to Saturday is likely to pack quite a punch."

To check Sonoma County road closures, click here.

Report a Typo

Weather News

Severe Weather

Flash flooding swamps Northeast metro areas as extreme rain threatens ...

Jul. 15, 2025
Weather News

Death toll reaches 132 as search for missing continues

Jul. 15, 2025
Weather Forecasts

Flood-weary Texas finally drying out, but near 100-degree heat looms

Jul. 15, 2025
Weather News

The Deadliest Floods in Texas History: A State at Risk

Jul. 14, 2025
video

Before-and-after pictures show devastation caused by Texas floods

Jul. 9, 2025
Severe Weather

Severe weather to rumble in the central US through the holiday weekend

Jul. 6, 2025
Weather News

Record sargassum seaweed piles up on Caribbean islands, Gulf

Jul. 2, 2025
Weather News

Alabama teen in ICU after lightning strike hits boat, causing burns an...

Jul. 2, 2025
Show more Show less Chevron down

Topics

AccuWeather Early

Hurricane Center

Top Stories

Trending Today

Astronomy

Heat

Climate

Health

Recreation

In Memoriam

Case Studies

Blogs & Webinars

Top Stories

Weather Forecasts

Flood-weary Texas finally drying out, but near 100-degree heat looms

3 hours ago

Hurricane

Tropical Rainstorm to drench Florida, Gulf Coast

1 hour ago

Weather News

Grand Canyon fires force closures

2 hours ago

Severe Weather

Is the US seeing worse flooding this summer? Here’s what’s happening

4 days ago

Weather News

A 94-year-old grandmother lost her house in the Texas floods

14 hours ago

More Stories

Featured Stories

Astronomy

Noctilucent clouds shimmer in summer sky

17 hours ago

Recreation

Yellowstone’s landscape shifts again with discovery of new hot pool

19 hours ago

Weather News

Orcas are bringing humans gifts of food – but why?

4 days ago

Weather News

Giant shoes found spark mystery around the soldiers of ancient Rome

17 hours ago

Weather News

It’s not just humans – chimpanzees also like to follow trends

18 hours ago

AccuWeather Weather News Thousands of homes, businesses flooded as water levels on Russian River in California begin to recede
Company
Proven Superior Accuracy About AccuWeather Digital Advertising Careers Press Contact Us
Products & Services
For Business For Partners For Advertising AccuWeather APIs AccuWeather Connect RealFeel® and RealFeel Shade™ Personal Weather Stations
Apps & Downloads
iPhone App Android App See all Apps & Downloads
Subscription Services
AccuWeather Premium AccuWeather Professional
More
AccuWeather Ready Business Health Hurricane Leisure and Recreation Severe Weather Space and Astronomy Sports Travel Weather News Winter Center
Company
Proven Superior Accuracy About AccuWeather Digital Advertising Careers Press Contact Us
Products & Services
For Business For Partners For Advertising AccuWeather APIs AccuWeather Connect RealFeel® and RealFeel Shade™ Personal Weather Stations
Apps & Downloads
iPhone App Android App See all Apps & Downloads
Subscription Services
AccuWeather Premium AccuWeather Professional
More
AccuWeather Ready Business Health Hurricane Leisure and Recreation Severe Weather Space and Astronomy Sports Travel Weather News Winter Center
© 2025 AccuWeather, Inc. "AccuWeather" and sun design are registered trademarks of AccuWeather, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy | About Your Privacy Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information

...

...

...