I live near the Russian River, perhaps the most flood prone river in Northern California, and there is no flooding around here. I checked Cal Trans and the only flood closures they cite are two that always flood even from moderate rain. Yes, there’s been heavy rain at times but nothing that would cause the NWS to issue more than a flood watch—listing only those two roads as likely problems. So what are you talking about?

Sources? Personal observation?

Note that TV weather people tend to overly dramatize. The love using the term ‘atmospheric river’ without explaining that term or describing the AR rating. AR1 is mainly beneficial rain. AR5 is potentially destructive Last time I checked the regional forecast discussion, this Atmospheric river is an AR 1, possibly AR 2.

Last edited Mon Dec 22, 2025, 07:40 PM - Edit history (1)

Our San Diego weather forecast has six days of constant rain from Wednesday night through next Tuesday. Cold snap for two days over Thursday and Friday. Means flooding in the valleys and maybe snow in the mountains.
We need snow, not rain.
On edit, now shows 3 days starting Xmas Eve, then more rain two days later into New Years eve.
Still too much rain, and lots of flooding.

as far as timing goes. We have had very little rain all Summer and Autumn and now when we finally get some it is a deluge and on one of the most traveled holiday.

We need a slow steady rain so it can sink into the soil, which is rock hard due to such little precipitation for a year. The rain we get will be a disaster since most of it will not be absorbed and just runs off to create a flood situation. Fashion Valley will be turned into a small lake. You know what I'm talking about.

And have pulled or pushed more cars out of flooded streets that I have digits to count with the year and half I was driving it during the 1980's when we had some nasty flooding.

At least the flood channels in the low lying poor areas of the city have been cleared out that disastrous flood two years ago.

Treacherous Paths of the floods. Be Safe!