Live updates: North Bay residents moving to higher ground amid flooding fears

A car stuck on a flooded road near Santa Rosa was found unoccupied and the driver, who officials say ignored warning signs, has not been found.

A car that got stuck driving through a flooded-out road just outside of Santa Rosa is one example of what not to do during a storm.

It is on Slusser Road near River Road.

Sonoma County Fire says the driver ignored the obvious flood gauge and flood warning signs. The car was found unoccupied and the driver has not been found.

It happened where the water was more than a foot deep when it was still dark out Thursday morning.

At the start of the storm, Santa Rosa fire crews gave warnings to stay home if you don't have to be out driving.

"You don't know how deep it is going to be, as well as you don't know the roadway conditions underneath," said Sonoma County Fire spokesperson Karen Hancock. "Has the roadway been compromised? Are there boulders? Are there big potholes? There's a lot of thing it could be, is it washed away?"

When no one was found in the car, crews continued searching in the water.

"They searched the surrounding areas and did not find anybody, they did go wading out into the water to check and that was in the dark, putting our guys at risk out in the dark," Hancock said.

Hancock says the county is juggling multiple hazardous conditions on the second day of the storm, including a tree that fell around 2:30 a.m., taking down power lines on Bohemian Highway, just north of Occidental, temporarily knocking out power to the area.

A tree also fell on a home and power lines in Forestville, sending one person to the hospital Wednesday night.

By morning, PG&E crews were on scene working to replace a downed power pole, but most of the damage was still there.

"There's more rain coming, right, we've got several more days of this so any major repairs, things like that, they're going to be prioritized, we're going to do what we can to make things safe but major cleanup will have to be after the storm passes."

Fire officials say their best advice which cannot be understated enough is to 'Turn around, don't drown.'

It's a message you will hear repeatedly from them because of drivers who continue to ignore the warnings.

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.

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.