Flooding, evacuation orders issued as heavy rain slams Bay Area

A pedestrian carries an umbrella as she walks down Market Street on February 17, 2011 in San Francisco, California.
A pedestrian carries an umbrella as she walks down Market Street on February 17, 2011 in San Francisco, California. Photo credit Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Evacuation orders have been issued in portions of San Mateo County as an atmospheric river storm moves in on the Bay Area – bringing with it the possibility of dangerous mudslides and flooding.

A previous evacuation warning become the order at 8 a.m. Sunday as officials urged residents living in and near the CZU Lightning Complex burn scar to leave the area.

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The impacted area includes Ano Neuvo State Park, Butano State Park and Dearborn State Park, plus the communities of Butano Canyon, Loma Mar, Dearborn Park, Barranca Knolls (west of Cloverdale Rd.).

Rendering of the evacuation areas in San Mateo County.
Rendering of the evacuation areas in San Mateo County. Photo credit CAL FIRE

"Go to a friend's house," CAL FIRE Public Information Officer Cecile Juliete told KCBS Radio late Saturday. "Go to a relative's house that doesn't live in the immediate vicinity of the CZU Lightning Complex burn area. Power could also be out. That is certainly a good possibility."

Unlike with fire evacuations, Juliette explained the order was issued in advance to make sure those living in the area have time to evacuate to avoid flooding, mudslides or the potential of downed trees blocking roadways.

Residents were advised to sign up for emergency alerts and Know Your Zone for evacuations. Additional evacuations may be ordered for communities living near burn scars, as officials warned mudslides and washouts may occur in vulnerable areas with steep terrain.

Earlier Saturday, a Flash Flood Watch was issued for portions of the Bay Area in anticipation of the storm. The National Weather Service sent out the advisory warning that heavy rainfall may lead to debris flows and flash flooding in and around recent wildfire burn scars.

Residents from the North Bay to Monterey City should be prepared for flash floods from 5 a.m. Sunday to 4 a.m. Monday, weather officials stated.

The National Weather Service issued an Areal Flood Warning for southern portions of Marin County and Napa River Sunday afternoon.

Burn scars near Cloverdale, Santa Rosa and Napa, plus the Carmel/River Fire and the Dolan/Willow Fire burn scars will be particularly vulnerable to rains.

Featured Image Photo Credit: Getty Images