Napa, CA – Heavy rains have caused rivers across Sonoma and Napa counties to swell beyond expectations, flooding roads, homes, and businesses. According to the California Nevada River Forecast Center, the Russian River surged past 35 feet by 2:30 a.m. on Wednesday in Guerneville, reaching moderate flood stage. By 1 p.m., the river had leveled off around 36.5 feet, leaving officials uncertain whether the river had reached its peak.
In Forestville, areas like the Mirabel RV Park & Campground were submerged, and flood-prone homes and businesses in the area were affected. However, despite the challenges, locals remained accustomed to these recurring winter floods. As one Guerneville resident quipped, “It’s not a flood until the canoes and kayaks come out,” reflecting the community’s resilience amid flooding events.
The situation was not as dire in Healdsburg, where the river crested below minor flood stage on Tuesday night and began receding by Wednesday morning.
In Napa, the Napa River reached 18.45 feet on Tuesday night, spilling over its banks into nearby homes in St. Helena. The river had not reached that level in nearly six years, with the last significant flooding event occurring on February 27, 2019. Though Napa’s dry bypass overflowed and caused localized flooding on McKinstry Street, the waters had receded below flood stage by Wednesday afternoon.
Lake Berryessa saw its first “Glory Hole” spillover since February 2019, as water from recent rains surged into the funnel-shaped spillway around 6:15 p.m. Tuesday. This dramatic flow came after the area received about two inches of rain, and officials noted that the lake had reached the 440-foot spillover mark, a threshold it came close to crossing last year.
As swollen creeks continue to contribute to the flooding, officials issued a flood warning for parts of west Sonoma County. Mark West Creek in Forestville reached major flood stage early Wednesday morning, signaling extensive flooding in nearby neighborhoods. Green Valley Creek near Martinelli Road was at moderate flood stage, while other creeks in the region, including Laguna de Santa Rosa and Colgan Creek, have been steadily receding.
Sonoma County authorities responded to the flooding by issuing an evacuation order for residents living near the Russian River in unincorporated Healdsburg to Jenner, specifically for areas where the river exceeded 36 feet. By Wednesday morning, rescue crews had pulled several people from flooded vehicles, including a pickup truck stranded in deep water on Neeley Road near Guerneville. Officials continued to monitor water levels, with no clear timeline for when the flooding would subside.
Authorities have urged residents to avoid driving on submerged roads and remain vigilant as more rain is expected in the coming days. The community’s familiarity with these types of floods has helped them navigate the immediate crisis, but the ongoing danger from swollen rivers and creeks remains a concern.