A fresh round of heavy rain turned into a headache for parts of Northern California today, as a flood advisory left low-lying neighborhoods wading through standing water and drivers dealing with some dicey commutes. Forecasters warned that minor flooding and street ponding could pop up through the afternoon and reminded motorists that any flooded roadway should be treated as a no-go zone.
Where the Advisory Applies
The National Weather Service in Sacramento issued the advisory at 9:49 a.m., covering Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and Yolo counties until about 4 p.m. Monday, according to the National Weather Service in Sacramento. The office said the main concerns are urban and small-stream flooding, with water over roadways and ponding in areas that do not drain well.
What Officials Are Advising
Local coverage summed up the safety playbook from forecasters, from the familiar “turn around, do not drown” warning on flooded roads to leaving immediately if evacuation orders are issued, along with practical steps such as disconnecting appliances when there is time and steering clear of basements with submerged outlets, as reported by The Sacramento Bee. The Bee also reiterated that anyone living in flood-prone, low-lying areas should move to higher ground.
Impacts on Commuters and the Grid
The storm has already made a mess of mountain travel. Chain controls and temporary traffic holds were put in place on Interstate 80 and Highway 50, and live updates tracked multiple spinouts along with an estimated 3,500 Pacific Gas & Electric customers losing power in parts of Calaveras County, according to KCRA. Officials are urging drivers to skip nonessential high-elevation trips and to check conditions before heading for the Sierra.
How to Stay Safe
Forecasters also emphasized driving tactics that cut the risk of hydroplaning and highlight how dangerous even shallow moving water can be. They advise staying in the middle lanes when possible, steering around puddles, and using headlights. If your vehicle begins to hydroplane, they recommend easing off the accelerator, steering into the skid, and braking gently as needed, according to guidance from the National Weather Service in Sacramento. The NWS warned that roughly six inches of swiftly moving water can be enough to knock a person off their feet, and about a foot of water can carry away most vehicles. Anyone trapped by moving water should call 911 right away.
Where to Get Updates
For real-time road conditions and official briefings, drivers can check Caltrans QuickMap and follow local broadcasters such as KCRA for live updates and closure information. We will update this story if advisories change.
