Flood — Contra Costa, California

2019-01-06 · near Orinda, Contra Costa, California

Event narrative

Roadway flooding at SR 24E at Acalanes Rd.

Wider weather episode

A vigorous cold front swept through California on January 5th bringing widespread rainfall and gusty winds. Unstable air behind the frontal passage and sufficient low level shear allowed shallow thunderstorms to develop over the coastal waters, some of which contained rotating cells. Two waterspouts developed and made landfall as tornadoes on the 6th. Additionally, heavy rainfall and strong winds caused roadway flooding, minor debris flows, and numerous downed trees across the region. This storm system caused two fatalities; one caused by a downed tree in Berkeley and another man died in Santa Rosa Creek due to rising waters.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (37.8915, -122.1541)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 796065. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.