A strong atmospheric river brought widespread rainfall to Northwest California in mid December. Flooding and landslides resulted in significant damage along the coast. Three counties declared a local state of emergency with several million dollars in damage reported.

Heavy Rain in HUMBOLDT, CALIFORNIA
From 14-DEC-16 18:00:00 to 15-DEC-16 14:00:00 (PST-8)
Location: SHELTER COVE
Property damage: 1.50M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

A landslide caused by heavy rain resulted in damage of Shelter Cove Road, the primary route from Shelter Cove at the coast to interior areas of Humboldt County.

Heavy Rain in HUMBOLDT, CALIFORNIA
From 14-DEC-16 18:00:00 to 15-DEC-16 14:00:00 (PST-8)
Location: ETTERSBURG
Property damage: 1.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

A retaining foundation failed due to heavy rain along Wilder Ridge Road.

Heavy Rain in HUMBOLDT, CALIFORNIA
From 14-DEC-16 18:00:00 to 15-DEC-16 14:00:00 (PST-8)
Location: CAMP GRANT
Property damage: 30.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

A shoulder slip out caused by heavy rain has resulted in cracking into the roadway on Dyerville Loop Road.

Heavy Rain in HUMBOLDT, CALIFORNIA
From 14-DEC-16 18:00:00 to 15-DEC-16 14:00:00 (PST-8)
Location: STEELHEAD
Property damage: 60.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

A shoulder slip out caused by heavy rain has resulted in cracking into the roadway on Steelhead Road.

Heavy Rain in HUMBOLDT, CALIFORNIA
From 14-DEC-16 18:00:00 to 15-DEC-16 14:00:00 (PST-8)
Location: HARRIS
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

A shoulder slip out caused by heavy rain has resulted in cracking into the roadway on Alderpoint Road.

Heavy Rain in HUMBOLDT, CALIFORNIA
From 14-DEC-16 18:00:00 to 15-DEC-16 14:00:00 (PST-8)
Location: SHELTER COVE
Property damage: 200.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

A culvert failure due to heavy rain along Telegraph Creek Road has the potential to release 10,000 cubic yards of sediment into Telegraph Creek.

Flood in DEL NORTE, CALIFORNIA
From 14-DEC-16 13:40:00 to 15-DEC-16 03:00:00 (PST-8)
Location: (CEC)MC NAMARA ARPT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 583.70K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

Numerous small streams flooded due to heavy rainfall resulting in culvert and manhole failures in Crescent City and neighboring communities. Additionally, a sinkhole allowed debris to flow into the waste water treatment plant causing damage.

Flood in MENDOCINO, CALIFORNIA
From 15-DEC-16 04:00:00 to 15-DEC-16 23:00:00 (PST-8)
Location: FT BRAGG AAF
Flood cause: Dam / Levee Break
Property damage: 1.50M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

The Pudding Creek Dam overtopped resulting in damage to the dam and a primary water main for the city of Fort Bragg. Damage estimates for replacement of the water main have been received but there are currently no estimates for the damage to the dam.

High Surf in COASTAL DEL NORTE, CALIFORNIA
From 14-DEC-16 09:00:00 to 14-DEC-16 12:00:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 8.31M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

Large surf impacted the coast in conjunction with a small storm surge. This resulted in damage to coastal bluffs along the Del Norte Coast.

Flood in HUMBOLDT, CALIFORNIA
From 15-DEC-16 08:40:00 to 16-DEC-16 14:31:00 (PST-8)
Location: ARCATA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Multiple roads around Humboldt Bay were closed due to flooding beginning December 15th in the morning. Roads gradually reopened through the early afternoon on December 16th as water receded. Roads closed included Hookton, Meridian, Port Kenyon, Coffee Creek, Pine Hill, Jackson Ranch, and Berta. Several other roads were also covered in water but remained open. Many of these roads typically flood during heavy rain events. Thus no damage was reported.

Flood in MENDOCINO, CALIFORNIA
From 15-DEC-16 12:55:00 to 16-DEC-16 12:00:00 (PST-8)
Location: PT ARENA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

The primary highway along the coast, California Route 1, was closed at the Garcia River due to flooding for nearly 24 hours. The exact time of reopening is not known but it was sometime during the day on the 16th of December.

Flood in MENDOCINO, CALIFORNIA
From 15-DEC-16 13:15:00 to 16-DEC-16 08:00:00 (PST-8)
Location: ELK
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

California Route 128 closed along the Navarro River. This highway is one of two primary routes from the coast to interior areas of southern Mendocino County. No damage reported to the roadway.

Flood in MENDOCINO, CALIFORNIA
From 15-DEC-16 13:56:00 to 16-DEC-16 12:00:00 (PST-8)
Location: HOPLAND
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

California Route 175 closed due to flooding of the Russian River. No damage reported.

Coastal Flood in NORTHERN HUMBOLDT COAST, CALIFORNIA
From 15-DEC-16 11:00:00 to 15-DEC-16 14:00:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Many roads flooded in the King Salmon area including Cod, Perch and Halibut. Water 6 to 12 inches deep in place with water up to doorsteps. No damage reported. Tide peaked at 9.56ft MLLW at the North Spit tide gauge in Humboldt Bay.