Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency for Sonoma County, which experienced widespread flooding, mudslides and other damage from a powerful storm that inundated the region this week.
The heavy rain led to the worst flooding from the Russian River in 20 years and cut off roads into the towns of Guerneville, Monte Rio and Rio Nido.
The emergency proclamation also covers Amador, Glenn, Lake, and Mendocino counties, which endured severe winter storms too.
"The effects of these repetitive atmospheric river storm systems continue to cause widespread impacts throughout California," the declaration said.
In Sonoma, evacuation orders had been issued earlier in the week and remained in effect on Thursday as authorities in special vehicles and boats surveyed the damage while the flood slowly began receding.
The Russian River crested at 46 feet on Wednesday, flooding about 2,000 buildings, officials said.
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Jeffrey Schaub and Holly Quan contributed reporting.





