Flood — Butte, California

2017-02-08 to 2017-02-09 · near Big Bend, Butte, California

Event narrative

HWY 70 was closed from Jarbo Gap in Butte County to Greenville Wye in Plumas County due to flooding.

Wider weather episode

Storms brought a range of significant weather impacts to northern interior California. The first storm was very wet and warm, the second not quite as wet but cooler with lower snow levels. Both storms brought strong, damaging winds. The heavy rain brought widespread flooding of small streams and rivers, with some flooding of main stem rivers. Wet conditions from previous storms brought saturated ground and elevated reservoirs, with flood control releases.

There was also mountain snow many feet deep, and damaging winds, with numerous trees down on roads, vehicles, and homes. Many roads, including major highways such as Interstate 80, were shut down due to mudslides, heavy snow, flooding, washouts or avalanche suppression. Other significant impacts include numerous accidents due to slippery roads, evacuations and rescues due to flooding.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (39.7400, -121.5000)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 682218. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.