Santa Rosa Flooding Forces Evacuations in Bennett Valley; Colleges Closed – CBS San Francisco
SANTA ROSA (CBS SF / BCN) – Residents of 95 homes and a four-unit apartment building in the Bennett Valley neighborhood of Santa Rosa were evacuated Sunday afternoon due to flooding, city officials said.
Flooding in the area also prompted the Sonoma County Office of Education to cancel classes at schools in the Bennett Valley Union School District on Monday.
CONTINUE READING: UPDATE: Road flooding in San Rafael, Mill Valley as Wild Storm Lashes Bay Area
The fire department went door-to-door to alert homeowners in Neotomas Avenue and Tachevah Drive, Brookhaven Drive, Tuscan Drive, and the Washoe Court area, said Adriane Mertens, Santa Rosa Public Information Officer.
The city received multiple reports of flooding, fallen trees and power lines early Sunday afternoon, according to the Santa Rosa Fire Department.
“We have several dozen homes in the process of being evacuated, with rapid water rescue teams as well as our high-profile wildland fire engines pulling door to door to get people out of harm’s way as the water continues to rise in the neighborhood,” said Assistant Fire Marshal Paul Lowenthal .
Raw Video: Evacuations in the Santa Rosa Bennett Valley Area
Officials asked residents in the area to remove their belongings from the ground floor and garage due to the rising water. All residents in low areas were encouraged to do the same.
During the evacuation, residents of two houses needed help and the city called services to help them. City buses were also dispatched to help the evacuees.
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The city is working to lower the flood. Debris will be removed from the drainage areas and drains will be cleared so the water can flow properly, Mertens said.
At around 4:26 p.m., the fire brigade announced that the water level had dropped significantly, but the road closures and evacuations would continue until the precipitation rates subsided.
UPDATE: Promising news – water levels have dropped significantly in the flood-hit Bennett Valley area, but road closures and evacuations will remain in place until rainfall rates subside.
– Santa Rosa Fire Department (@SantaRosaFire) October 24, 2021
Northeast of Santa Rosa, a vehicle drove through a flooded Slusser Road north of River Road and south of Mark West Creek and was handicapped. The California Highway Patrol said the public works workers blocked the road at the time, but the driver drove around the workers and got stuck.
This is Slusser Road north of River Road. Sonoma County Transportation & Public Works was actively blocking the road at this point, but the driver was still spinning around and getting stuck. The driver got out of the car unharmed, but the vehicle has to wait until the water level drops before towing it. (Photo: BHKW)
The driver got out of the vehicle unharmed, but has to wait until the water level drops before towing it, said the CHP. Motorists are encouraged not to attempt to drive on flooded roads, regardless of whether they are closed or not.
You can find updates on the storm at srcity.org/october2021storm.
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