Live Updates: Bay Area atmospheric river brings flooding, fallen trees

We've seen dangerous waves and flooding impact the Capitola area in the past and residents say they'll be ready for when the rain comes.

While it's been windy but overall quiet in Capitola Village, we've seen dangerous waves and flooding impact the area in the past.

Residents tell ABC7 News they'll be ready for when the rain comes.

Marcie Karl lives a block up from the beach in Capitola.

"I was just walking the dogs up I could hear the ocean get more and more intense," Karl said.

She said recently king tides during the winter season have become normal.

"The last couple of years we've had some very big storms that have caused intense damage. I'm expecting that to happen again this year," Karl said.

Capitola officials say for the past three years they've experienced whiplash when it comes to high surf damage and coastal flooding.

The iconic wharf stands 20 feet above the water, but was destroyed by a battering of waves.

The wharf reopened just this past September after being closed since earl 2023.

A longtime resident Dennis Gillis goes to Capitola Village frequently during the week.

He said he's prepared for stormy weather.

"I have a large generator that I can probably power three homes with. Plenty of grab bags for the family," Gillis said.

For the bars and restaurants along the Esplanade, it was business as usual on Wednesday evening.

Last winter, many were hit with high waves and flooding. The Sandbar repaired their floors in early 2023, only to have them buckle again by December.

Zelda's installed hurricane doors in the back of their restaurant in preparation for the next big one. Capitola officials are prepared to be on high alert for storms until March.

A massive tree fell on a home in Forestville, an unincorporated community just outside of Santa Rosa.

On Wednesday night, a massive tree fell on a home in Forestville, an unincorporated community just outside of Santa Rosa.

One woman was taken to the hospital but officials say she will survive. The home that the tree fell on is located on Cozey Court. The tree also damaged power lines.

"This morning it just started pouring and it hasn't stopped!" said one resident.

It was constant rain in Sonoma County. Drivers we talked with are well aware of the many areas that flooded Wednesday and well aware of the very slick conditions.

"I don't like it. This morning I actually almost got in a car accident," said Christina Mora.

Some we spoke with said they would have liked to stay inside, but they didn't have a choice.

"I'm up here to visit my mom, to help take care of her. She's in her 90s I actually live in the East Bay. Now I'm going back when it's the worst weather," said Astrid Juengling.

"You're driving in this?" asked ABC7 News Reporter J.R. Stone.

"I'm driving, but I have to because I have work tomorrow," Juengling said.

The falling rain was too much for this tree that fell onto power lines in a neighborhood near 101 and State Route 12 in Santa Rosa. Nearby homes were left in the dark.

Some, though, battled the elements with the entire family. Sometimes you've got to get those essentials.

"We needed to go to Costco to get food and toilet paper," said Danielle Freebairn. "We drove nice and slow to make sure we were safe."

I guess going grocery shopping is a little easier when the kids are excited to get soaked.

"I think it's fun in the rain," said Colby Freebairn.

"I like it, because it's all wet, and I like jumping in puddles," said Noelle Freebairn.

Certainly making the best out of a very wet situation.

The heavy rain created flooding, rockslides and intense driving on the roadways in Sonoma County.

In the North Bay, the atmospheric river arrived Wednesday morning as the first storm of the season. The heavy rain created flooding, rockslides and intense driving on the roadways.

Heavy rain from the atmospheric river arrived with a vengeance in Sonoma County and didn't let up.

"At first it was cool, but now it's kind of scary," said Sergio Reyes from Santa Rosa.

Heavy rain made the drive on Highway 101 through Santa Rosa intense.

On College Avenue, cars were barely getting through the high water. Signs were posted, warning drivers to slow down.

"So, with this atmospheric river, it's hitting us now. Currently, we're at the monitoring stage, but we are starting to see nuisance flooding coming up on the roadways," said Karen Hancock from Sonoma County Fire District.

In Healdsburg, heavy rain brought rocks and mud down onto Fitch Mountain Road. It toppled a utility pole, bringing down power lines.

Pacifica Pier was closed Wednesday due to the high surf on the Peninsula.

On the Peninsula, some of the highest wind gusts Wednesday could be experienced in Pacifica.

The Pacifica Pier was closed due to the high surf. High waves slammed the shore and crews worked to repair a 20-foot sinkhole that opened along the seawall.

"I've never seen anything like this," said Kerry, a woman from Woodland who came to Pacifica with her family.

"My sister-in-law and I came to that building right there and a big wave hit her, drenched her. She said it almost knocked her over," Kerry said.

Visitors came from other parts of the Bay Area too, like Simon Barrad from San Francisco, who was impressed by how strong the wind was.

"It's pretty powerful and kind of exhilarating to experience," he said. "A little scary, but I don't know. It's kind of cool to be here."

Still, even with those visitors checking out the setting, locals say the weather has definitely kept most people away.

"I mean on a normal day like today, it would be, there'd be at least 20 people here, 30, 40, you know, people on the pier, street vendors trying to sell, art and so on. So, it's pretty crazy," said David Malloy who reacted to how empty the area appeared.

City of Pacifica's Public Works Director John Mullins said that the department had been preparing for the stormy weather for a while now.

The 1800 block on Beach Boulevard was closed after a large sinkhole opened up, following King Tides last week.

Crews worked around the clock for over three nights to secure the area. They capped things off Wednesday morning, just as the high winds and surf started coming in.

Though the pier was closed and the wind and waves made for a difficult walk, no one we spoke with Wednesday afternoon was sorry for the experience they took in.

"No regrets. Just a little wet, but it really is kind of cool to experience the power of nature and the, the waves and the wind," Barrad said.