Heavy Rain — Sonoma, California

2012-12-22 · near Schellville Arpt, Sonoma, California

Event narrative

California Highway Patrol reported a two car accident during heavy rainfall in Napa County. At 2:25 PM on Saturday the 22nd of December, a car heading southbound on Highway 121 near the Viansa winery lost control on a curve, crossed the center line and was hit broadside by oncoming traffic. The driver was killed at the scene and the passenger sustained significant injuries and was airlifted. The driver of the car in oncoming traffic was also airlifted with significant injuries.

Wider weather episode

A series of storm systems, part of a large Atmospheric River type of pattern, impacted the area during late December 2012. From the 21st through 26th of December, heavy rain, gusty winds, flooding, and mudslides occurred across the Bay Area in these consecutive events. Downed trees, powerlines, and flooded roadways impacted residents over the Christmas holiday season. The event included a tornado touchdown on the coast of Santa Cruz County which brought extensive damage to portions of a greenhouse and flower growing operations. These storms followed a series of significant storms in late November and early December.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (38.2100, -122.4500)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 426053. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.