Weekly Roundup for December 30, 2022
Published: December 30, 2022
Weather Update
A flood watch is in effect in Sonoma County through Saturday evening, where runoff from this week’s rain may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Sonoma County residents should monitor weather forecasts and be alert for possible Flood Warnings. People living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should water levels rise.
A storm that arrived Friday is expected to bring 3 to 4 inches of rain to Santa Rosa and as much as 6 inches to the wettest parts of Sonoma County, according to the National Weather Service. It forecasts the Russian River will reach 25 feet in Guerneville at 1 a.m. Sunday morning. There is a 26 percent chance of reaching Monitor Stage (29 feet) and a 12 percent chance of reaching Flood Stage (32 feet). In Healdsburg, the river is expected to reach 14.9 feet at 4 p.m. Saturday afternoon. There is a 10 percent chance of reaching Monitor Stage (20 feet) and zero chance of reaching Flood Stage (23 feet), according to the National Weather Service.
The rain should stop Saturday and return Sunday night, when a new storm system makes its way into the area and brings strong winds out of the south at 40+ mph. Wind gusts across the ridges could reach 50-60+ mph.
Do not walk, swim, or drive through flood waters. Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down, and one foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away.
- Sign up for life saving alerts at https://socoemergency.org/get-ready/sign-up/socoalert
- Learn how to prepare for a flood at https://socoemergency.org/get-ready/local-hazards/flood/
Community Health Update
COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are inching up again in Sonoma County. Two weeks ago, the county moved from the LOW to MEDIUM level in the metrics used by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to track COVID-19 transmission levels. As a result, state masking requirements have been reinstated in homeless shelters, emergency shelters and some other high-risk settings. We are now seeing 13.3 new COVID cases per 100,000 residents, up from 12.9 cases per 100,000 residents at the beginning of the week. Local hospitals are now treating 48 patients with COVID, up from 39 a week ago. Sadly, three new deaths from COVID-19 were reported this week. The virus has now killed 531 members of our community since the pandemic began in March 2020.
There is good news: we are seeing the first signs of decline in the flu season, which started early in Sonoma County. Local hospitals are treating 12 people for influenza, down from 69 at their peak a month ago. However, influenza activity remains elevated in Sonoma County, with a current risk of “Moderate” in our region.
“With the holidays, vigilance is still crucial to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses to friends and family,” says Dr. Sundari Mase, Sonoma County Health Officer. “The best strategies to prevent transmission remain unchanged: Masking, vaccination, limiting gatherings if you or a family member are in a vulnerable group, and staying home and testing if you are experiencing symptoms.”
- Find a COVID or flu vaccine clinic here: https://socoemergency.org/events/category/pop-up-vaccine/
- Find testing clinics here: https://socoemergency.org/events/category/pop-up-testing/
- To order four free at-home COVID tests, visit: https://www.covid.gov/tests
- For the latest COVID-19 information, visit: https://socoemergency.org/emergency/
Latest News from County of Sonoma
Permit Sonoma publishes draft environmental report for county housing plan update
https://permitsonoma.org/permitsonomapublishesdraftenvironmentalreportforcountyhousingplanupdate
Dave Kiff named director of Sonoma County’s new Homelessness Services Division
https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/dave-kiff-named-director-of-sonoma-county-homelessness-services-division
Janell Crane named interim director of County of Sonoma’s Human Resources Department
https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/janell-crane-named-interim-director-of-county-of-sonomas-human-resources-department
Want to read more about what we're up to at the County of Sonoma?
Sign up for the SoCo Correspondent monthly newsletter here:
https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/Newsroom/SoCo-Correspondent/