The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Flood Watch for the entire Bay Area, effective from Wednesday into Thursday, in anticipation of heavy rainfall that could lead to excessive runoff, flooding in poor drainage areas, and potential shallow landslides.
The Flood Watch comes as the region braces for moderate to heavy rainfall, which is expected to saturate already damp soil, resulting in elevated runoff on roads, streams, and creeks.
This heightened runoff poses a risk of flooding, particularly in low-lying and poorly drained areas across the Bay Area.
According to hydrological outlooks from the NWS, periods of moderate to heavy rainfall are likely to cause moderate to rapid rises along rivers, streams, and creeks throughout the region.
While most sites are forecast to remain below flood stage, some locations, notably in Sonoma County and Santa Cruz County, may reach monitor stage.
The Russian River at Guerneville and the San Lorenzo River at Big Trees are highlighted as areas with a greater than 25 percent chance of reaching flood stage and monitor stage, respectively, by Thursday.