Flood — Sierra, California

2017-02-09 to 2017-02-10 · near Sattley, Sierra, California

Event narrative

Flooding from creeks covered the intersection of Highways 49 and 89 in Sierraville on the afternoon of the 9th. Shallow water was photographed up against buildings at the Sierraville Ranger Station on the morning of the 10th. A washout caused the closure of Highway 49 between Sattley and Yuba Pass. Damage estimates are only for repairs to Highways 49 and 89 based on a CALTRANS report.

Wider weather episode

Two significant waves of precipitation associated with an atmospheric river brought heavy rain and higher elevation (mainly above 6500 feet) snowfall to northeast California. Widespread rainfall totals between 5 and 8 inches were reported between the 6th and 10th, with rainfall and/or liquid equivalent amounts up to between 10 and 16 inches near the northern Sierra crest. The rainfall brought widespread flooding to the region with several northeast California rivers coming out of their banks.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (39.6173, -120.4761)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 706013. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.