Update:
Evacuation orders have been downgraded to warnings.
The Eel River flow estimations have been revised and it is not expected to reach major flood stage.
#####
The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office has announced new evacuation orders and warnings for a number of zones surrounding the mouth of the Eel River, and Mad River.
Evacuation warnings and orders are in place in the Eel River delta area west of Highway 101 from the southern tip of Humboldt Bay near College of the Redwoods, to the Highway 36 junction, and north of Port Kenyon and Centerville Road. Loleta, Ferndale and Alton are NOT under evacuation warnings, but most of the immediate areas to the north and west of them are.
An evacuation warning is in place for the Mad River delta west of Highway 101 between School Road to the north, and Lanphere Road to the south.
Use this Link to see if your zone is under an evacuation warning or order.
More details below:
🔴 EVACUATION ORDERS 🔴
Residents in zones with evacuation orders should evacuate immediately. The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office has issued an Evacuation Order for the following zones:
- HUM-E105-B: north of Riverside Rd./Dillon Rd., south of Cockrobin Island Rd./Cannibal Island Rd., east of Riverside Rd., west of Nissen Ln./Dillon Rd.
- HUM-E101-A: north of Eel River, south of Cannibal Island Rd., east of Pacific Ocean, west Eel River Dr./Hawks Hill Rd.
- HUM-E106-B: north of Goble Ln., south of Cockrobin Island Rd., east of Nissen Ln, Dillon Rd., north of Eel River Dr, State Highway 271.
- HUM-E110-A: north of Pleasant Point Rd/Grizzly Bluff Rd, south of Redwood Hwy, east of State Highway 271/Waddington Rd., west of Riverwalk Dr./Dinsmore Dr.
🟡 EVACUATION WARNINGS 🟡
Additionally, an Evacuation Warning has been issued for the following zones:
- HUM-E101-B: north of Cannibal Island Rd., south of Phelan Rd., east of Cannibal Rd, west of Redwood Hwy/Hawks Hill Rd.
- HUM-E105-A: north of Centerville Rd., South of Riverside Rd., east of Pacific Ocean, west of Port Kenyon Rd./Riverside Rd.
- HUM-E106-A: north of Port Kenyon Rd., south of Goble Ln., east of Port Kenyon Rd./Riverside Rd., west of State Highway 271/Goble Ln.
- HUM-E107: north of Fernbridge/Singley Bar Rd., south of Singley Rd., east of Singley Bar Rd., north of Fernbridge/Redwood Highway.
- HUM-E110-B: north of Grizzly Bluff Rd., south of Pleasant Point Rd., east of Waddington Rd., west of Pleasant Point Rd.
- HUM-E119: north of Price Creek School Rd., south of Grizzly Bluff Rd., east of Regli Ln., west of East Ferry Rd./Sandy Prairie Rd.
- FOR-E012: north of Fowler Lane/Sandy Prairie Road/Redwood Highway, south of Redwood Highway, east of Drake Hill Rd., west of Redwood Highway.
- FOR-E016-A: north of Riverbar Rd., south of Demello Rd., east of US Highway 101/Sandy Prairie Rd, west of Riverbar Rd./Rocky Ln.
- HUM-E138-B: Grizzly Creek Campground/State Park area.
- ARC-E001-B: north of Lamphere Rd., south of Fischer Ave./Mad River Rd., east of Pacific Ocean, west of Miller Ln/US-101 N/Mad River Rd.
- HUM-E033-B: north of Mad River Rd., south of School Rd./Stapp Rd., east of Pacific Ocean, west of US-101.
Residents should remain ready to evacuate at a moment’s notice if conditions worsen. Residents are advised to prepare for potential evacuations, including gathering personal supplies and overnight accommodations. More information will follow if an Evacuation Order is issued.
EVACUATION CENTER
The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services in coordination with the Humboldt County Department of Health & Human Services and the American Red Cross-Gold Country Region today established an Evacuation Center for those impacted by the storm. The Evacuation Center is located the Fortuna Firemen’s Pavilion, located at 9 Park St. Fortuna, CA 95540. The center will be open today, Thursday, Nov. 21 at 4 p.m. while community needs are assessed.
###
As the storm continues, the heaviest rainfall for the North Coast is expected today through Friday morning, and a flood watch continues to be in effect through Friday night, bringing an increased chance of rock and landslides, clogged storm drains and impassable water crossings.
The latest predictions from the National Weather Service indicate that the Eel River at Fernbridge will reach action stage by noon today, rising to moderate flooding levels by this evening, and reach major flooding stage by Friday morning, and is expected to remain in major flood stage for roughly 12 hours before water levels start to recede. The Eel River is predicted to return to normal levels by early Sunday Morning.
Major flood stage at Fernbridge is defined as 25 feet. Current predictions indicate that the Eel River will crest at 25.4 feet. Further upstream near Scotia, the Eel River is expected to reach action stage, and river gauges further upstream predict that the river will be within normal levels in those areas.
The Mad River near Arcata entered action stage early this morning and is expected to crest in the minor flood stage on friday morning before dropping back down to normal levels by saturday morning.
The Van Duzen River is expected to reach action stage by this evening, and crest into the minor flood stage early friday morning, and return to normal levels by friday afternoon.
In Mendocino County, the Russian River will reach action stage by this afternoon, and return to normal levels by tomorrow afternoon.
The Navarro River will reach action stage by this evening, and subside by tomorrow afternoon.
Other rivers in the area are not expected to reach action stages, but there are multiple unmonitored creek, streams, and tributaries that may burst their banks and may hinder travel. Turn around, don't drown. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.
A high wind advisory is also in effect tonight through Friday morning,
with gusts of up to 75 mph predicted, bringing an increased chance of downed tree limbs and power lines.
If you encounter a downed power line, call 9-1-1 IMMEDIATELY to report its location and then PG&E at 1-800-743-5002. Be sure to stay at least 35 feet away and wait for help to arrive. NEVER touch a downed power line or go near one. Here are some more safety tips if you come across a downed power line:
Keep others and pets away.
You cannot tell whether a power line is energized just by looking at it, so consider all downed power lines live and dangerous.
Do not drive over a fallen power line.
Stay away from flooded areas and downed trees during and after a storm. These areas could be hiding an energized power line.
To check current power outages for your area, visit the PG&E Outage Center Map.
Emergency Shelters
Eureka
If you’re in need of a roof over your head tonight, Eureka has opened an extreme weather shelter. City workers will be shuttling people to the shelter from these locations at the specified times:
- Eureka Free Meal (35 3rd Street) 6 p.m.
- The Sacco Amphitheater, near the Adorni Center: 6:30 p.m.
- Hope Center (2933 H Street): 7 p.m.
- 14th and Koster: 7:30 p.m.
Arcata
Arcata House Partnership has also opened a daytime warming center at their Annex (501 9th Street, near the Arcata Transit Center) today and tomorrow from noon to 4 p.m. Food and hot beverages will be available.
Fortuna
Fortuna Adventist Community Services (2331 Rohnerville Road) will open the Community Services building located downstairs as an overnight shelter. Check in and dinner will take place between 4 and 6 p.m., with lights out by 10 p.m. There are limited beds, and individuals may need to provide their own bedding. Transportation will not be available.
The Humboldt County Office of Emergency Services posted a few tips on their Facebook page:
With the strong storm surge approaching, we urge everyone to prepare for power outages, which means assembling a survival kit, making an emergency plan, and being informed. Especially for those dependent on electric medical and assistive devices we would like to remind you to:
🔹 Fully charge backup batteries and keep medical devices charged.
🔹 If you use an electric wheelchair or scooter, have a manual wheelchair for back-up.
🔹 Teach those who may need to assist you in an emergency how to operate necessary equipment. Also, label equipment and attach laminated instructions for equipment use.
🔹 Know how to connect and start a back-up power supply for your essential medical equipment.
🔹 Have enough water and food that doesn’t need refrigeration for every member of your household for at least three days.
🔹 Create a personal disaster plan with family and caregivers for how to meet your needs during a power outage.
🔹 If you are a person who is vision impaired, deaf or hard of hearing, plan ahead for someone to convey essential emergency information to you if you are unable to use the TV or radio.
🔹 If you use a personal care attendant obtained from an agency, check to see if the agency has special provisions for emergencies (e.g., providing services at another location should an evacuation be ordered).
Prepare to keep medicines cold
🔹 A closed refrigerator will maintain a cool temperature for 2-3 hours.
🔹 To prepare for longer periods without power, remove the refrigerated medications from the refrigerator as soon as possible and place medications into an ice chest or small cooler packed with ice, cooling bricks or cold packs.
🔹 Use a thermometer to monitor medication temperatures to ensure they’re safe to use.
🔹 Avoid freezing the medication by making sure it does not directly touch the ice.
To check current power outages for your area visit, pgealerts.alerts.pge.com/outage-tools/outage-map.
Follow US National Weather Service Eureka California for current weather updates and forecasts.
Stay safe, North Coast!
