Live storm updates: Hwy 1 closure in Pacifica expected to last through evening commute

Rescue crews on skis and snowcats battled blizzard conditions in an effort to reach six backcountry skiers still alive but trapped Tuesday after an avalanche high in the rugged Northern California mountains that left nine other skiers missing as the danger of more slides remained high.

The search and rescue crews were dispatched to Frog Lake in the Castle Peak area, northwest of Lake Tahoe, after someone called 911 at about 11:30 a.m. to report an avalanche with people buried as a powerful winter storm moved through the state.

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Alameda County Public Works crews worked in the downpour trying to remove a massive oak tree that fell in a residential neighborhood in Pleasanton. The road was closed for three hours.

Alameda County Public Works crews worked in the downpour trying to remove a massive oak tree that fell in a residential neighborhood in Pleasanton. The road was closed for three hours.

"It is a very crazy road. Very crazy road," says resident Hibba Ashraf. "Every time it gets this bad outside, we end up having floods over here as well. But I have never seen a tree fall down."

Residents say they are happy no one was injured. But add, they have complained about the flooding in the area and its impact to city and county, especially on the narrow part of the road goes through a small tunnel leading to the freeway.

"And because we are so close to the freeway, we have a lot of people coming in and out. Very fast drivers and very narrow roads. I have tried reaching out. We haven't heard back," says Ashraf.

Across the street from her house are big hills. And during a big storm, that creates a lot of runoff, pushing more dirt and mud onto flooded roads.

A similar situation in Dublin with another big tree falling on Dublin Boulevard, one of the city's main streets.

But the heavy rain is also welcomed news for East Bay MUD, or EBMUD.

"So far this has been good news for us. We had particularly dry months of January and first half of February. These storms are bringing some much-needed rain and snow that we are counting on for the year to come," explains Christopher Tritto with EBMUD.

Tritto says rain helps to fill local east bay reservoirs, which provide five to 10% of the overall water supply for the year.

But big storms also create a lot of wastewater run-off, which EBMUD is monitoring as well.

"They are making sure their systems are ready so we can protect the Bay. It's a big part of our job. In addition to providing drinking water supply, also is protecting the San Francisco Bay from waste water pollution," says Tritto.

EBMUD says the snowpack is below average for this time and hoping these storms will help add to it.

The snow was prepared for, but a heavy soaking from rain was a troublemaker in San Jose and it caused a dangerous situation to unfold this morning.

In the South Bay, there was rain and even snow coming down in San Jose on Tuesday.

The snow was prepared for, but a heavy soaking from rain was a troublemaker in San Jose and it caused a dangerous situation to unfold this morning.

Adrienne Oxley said it was like something out of a movie.

Around 10 o'clock this morning, she and her husband heard a tree behind their property come down that took overhead lines along with it.

It knocked out power and started a fire.

"All of a sudden, everything started sparking and it went all the way along to the line over there and there," Oxley said. "And the tree started coming down. It was just the perfect storm. Probably all the water pulled the roots up from the tree. The tree fell down into the pool, and something triggered that because everything went off at that point."

Thankfully, crews were able to put out the fire without any serious damage or injuries.

"I'm just glad that we're safe and nothing happened," Oxley said. "I'm going to stay on that side of the house the rest of the day. I'm not going near this side."

Utility crews nearby were on standby in case of other issues.

But up on Mt. Hamilton, there a sense of calm from preparation.

"It's been snowing up here since about five this morning," Superintendent Jamey Eriksen said. "There's an inch or two on the ground. Currently it's snowing pretty good. The 36-inch telescope's temporary slit was finished about a week ago."

A month of dry weather allowed contractors to repair damage caused by a Christmas storm that ripped a 5-ton shutter off the observatory.

RELATED: Lick Observatory repairs continue 3 weeks after devastating Christmas storm

A Christmas storm caused incredible damage to the Lick Observatory visitor's center and work to repair the building before the next storm is ongoing.

Ericksen says plywood and metal on top of the dome, along with waterproofing and an ice shield, will keep the telescope protected until there is a permanent solution.

"And we've had 60 mile an hour plus winds since they've completed it, and it's holding up, so far, nicely," Eriksen said.

Eriksen says the road to the mountain is closed due to the snowy conditions.

But when things clear, work will continue to hopefully allow guests to return for spring break - ahead of the observatory's anniversary celebration this summer.

Search and rescue crews were looking for multiple backcountry skiers feared missing Tuesday after a reported avalanche in Northern California as a powerful winter storm moved through the state, authorities said.

The Nevada County Sheriff's Office received a 911 call at about 11:30 a.m. from someone reporting an avalanche with people buried, said Ashley Quadros, a spokesperson.

The sheriff's office, the sheriff's Search & Rescue team and a crew with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection were combing the area of Castle Peak, which is northwest of Lake Tahoe, Quadros said.

"It has been reported that a group of backcountry skiers was involved in the incident, with several members of the party missing at this time," the sheriff's office wrote in a Facebook post.

A Sierra Avalanche Center official told ABC News that the group of more than a dozen backcountry skiers was leaving an overnight hut trip at Frog Lake Hut.

At least 10 of them were caught in the avalanche, but it's unclear how many were fully buried, partially buried, or injured.

Officials say the group reported three members were actively working to dig out victims.