This browser does not support the Video element.
More stormy weather on the way, especially for North Bay
With the weekend storm in the past, the pressing concern is tree falls and mudslides, with four more storms expected between now and the day after Christmas.
NOVATO, Calif. - With the weekend storm in the past, the pressing concern is tree falls and mudslides, with four more storms expected between now and the day after Christmas.
The damage was widespread and substantial.
In the Gold Hill Fire District, which heavily depends on volunteer firefighters, the storm proved challenging even though locals in the Sebastopol area are accustomed to them.
"The storm that came in was high intensity, fast-moving, with a lot of heavy wind. Heavy rain came in during the overnight period," explained Chief Jeremy Pierce of the fire district. "People woke up in the morning and found themselves trapped by flooding, roads washing out, roads they couldn't get through, and trees down."
It was more intense than many expected.
"This storm that hit our service area was extremely intense. This is actually the 19th most impactful storm we've seen since 1995. So, this is definitely a big one," said PG&E North Bay Spokesperson Megan McFarland.
In Novato, the storm took out four power poles on Fairway Drive all at once, creating complex and major damage that required many crews.
"As they were resetting the poles, they were encountering rock bed, and so that makes setting the poles very difficult," McFarland said.
Novato residents were surprised.
"It was really the wind. The wind was very intense, and we thought we were going to lose trees in our yard," said Michael Kenney. "
"It was extremely intense and almost like hurricane winds almost," said Rebecca Montgomery.