An atmospheric river is hitting Northern California, bringing a series of rainy days with storm impacts through the weekend.
The atmospheric river will bring heavy rain, flood risks and strong winds to the region, with the North Bay taking the brunt of the impacts.
TIMELINE: Here's what to expect as atmospheric river hits Bay Area
The focus of flooding will be on smaller streams, creeks and roads in the North Bay. Our rivers will be able to handle this first storm of the season and are not expected to flood.
Strong wind will bring trees down and isolated power outages across the Bay Area.
While wind and rain pound the Bay Area, heavy snow and strong wind gusts will make travel in the Sierra extremely difficult.
LIVE: Track rain in San Francisco Bay Area with Live Doppler 7
A jackknifed big rig blocked all four left lanes of Eastbound I-80 in San Francisco early Thursday.
This was at 1st Street by the entrance to the Bay Bridge and caused traffic to backup.
All lanes have since been reopened.
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.
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.
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.
