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

Heavy rain pelted Sonoma County for the second day. The Atmospheric river showing little mercy.

The storm brought torrential rain to Santa Rosa. A Hampton Inn hotel and Sutter medical office joint parking lot was underwater with multiple cars submerged.

"With the weather we have currently coming through, the waterway in this area got overwhelmed and flooded the parking lot. Some people are staying at the Inn and Suites were trying to get out, stuck in the water," said Will Powers from Santa Rosa Fire Department.

Danielle Perlenfein's mom was stranded at her job, cut off from dry pavement.

"I've seen it flood before but never this bad, I thought we could come and help her, way above civilian help, I'll leave that to the professionals," said Perlenfein.

Heavy rain pelted Sonoma County for the second day. The Atmospheric river showing little mercy.

In Forestville, homeowners on Mirabel Road were dealing with flooding which came on fast with little warning.

"The drainage was clogged and within five minutes our yard was two-feet deep, it's been happening all morning," said Anthony from Forestville.

Some of the floodwater, nearly covered some garages, neighbors say, the water was coming from a nearby drainage culvert.

"I woke up this morning and saw the water rising, I started to freak out so we put bags out just in time, a little water got in. I feel for my neighbors, they're taking it worse than I am," said Kela Gore.

Sonoma County crews were working to clear the culvert and give the rising water somewhere to go.

Many roads in the Russian River Valley are closed due to flooding but some drivers, ignored the signs and got stuck. With more rain on the way, residents like Kela Gore are hoping for the best.

"Trying to take one step at a time and keep praying," said Gore.

Several schools and school districts in Sonoma County announced closures for Friday due to severe weather:

• Cinnabar Elementary School District
• Forestville Union School District
• Fort Ross Elementary
• Guerneville School District
• Horicon Elementary
• Kashia Elementary
• Montgomery Elementary
• Monte Rio Union School District
• Northwest Prep Charter School
• Olivet Elementary
• Village Charter
• West Sonoma County Union High School District

An updated list of closures can also be viewed on Sonoma County's website.

The county noted there are 40 public school districts countywide but not all would be closed. School districts and independent charters make their own decisions on whether or not to close.

With umbrellas in hand, people lined up down the block at the Ritter Center in San Rafael for the nonprofit's annual Thanksgiving meal giveaway.

With umbrellas in hand, people lined up down the block at the Ritter Center in San Rafael.

On Thursday, the nonprofit held its annual Thanksgiving meal giveaway.

It's an event Ritter Center CEO Mark Shotwell says they were determined to have despite the series of storms sweeping across the North Bay.

"This is a great way to be able to connect with people in the community who need us. And for the ongoing clients we serve, it's essential to keep them going," Shotwell said.

The center provides everything people need to enjoy a full holiday meal.

But beyond just the food, Shotwell says giving out items to help people survive the elements is essential.

"It's not just about being cold. It's not just about being wet. But because of the serious health issues that a lot of people have, that kind of exposure can be a life-threatening situation," Shotwell said.

One of those receiving help Thursday was Paul Maska.

Maska tells us he's currently living on a small boat in the water.

He says the past few days have been difficult, and with more wet weather coming, he's grateful for the help.

"It's a security. It's a sense of wellness. It's a sense of 'I'm okay.' It's a sense of family. It's many things," Maska said.

Another person collecting supplies was Terrence Reynolds.

Originally from the East Bay, Reynolds says he's now unhoused and doesn't know how he'd survive without help from places like the Ritter Center.

"They're doing tents. I just got a blanket and a mat. This hat right here, the gloves," he said.

And with more intense storms forecasted over the coming days here in Marin County, Reynolds has just one message to all those who help.

"You guys are awesome. Thanks for being here. And the commitment, all the volunteers that come in and out with the consistency, yeah," he said.

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.