Here's how the Bay Area is preparing for the atmospheric river
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- It's literally the calm before the storm. But it won't be this quiet for the rest of the week - we are due for a series of stormy days in the Bay Area.
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Peninsula
At the Pacifica Pier Tuesday, there were plenty of people taking in the waves.
"I decided to enjoy the last of the sunshine," one resident said.
TIMELINE: Atmospheric river hits Bay Area Wednesday with heavy rain, flood risks, high winds
Those elevated wave heights may be a harbinger of the impending rain.
"My husband owns a water restoration company, so he's getting all his equipment ready and his employees notified to be on call," said Yvonne Gavidia, a Pacifica resident.
The pier had been partially reopened after closing due to storm damage earlier this year. The Department of Public Works said they were too busy getting ready for the precipitation to comment but noted the pier may close again this weekend if the rough surf persists.
San Francisco
To the north, at the San Francisco Public Works Operations Yard, there was a steady stream of residents loading up their trunks with sandbags and preparing for the expected half inch of rainfall Wednesday.
"We just moved into our place, so we're not sure if there's going to be flooding or not, so we're just trying to be prepared," said Neha Tammana, a Bernal Heights resident.
About 12,000 sandbags are available to residents, with a 10-per-person limit.
"The water doesn't drain fast enough, and it starts to creep into the garage," another resident noted.
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In parts of the city prone to flooding, like 17th and Folsom, signs are posted alerting nearby residents and businesses of the flood barriers being installed by the Public Utilities Commission Tuesday night. Stable Cafe has seen its share of flooding in years past, even closing for over a week in January. They're now on high alert.
"Within 10 minutes, it was completely flooded," said Bradley Bascia, a cafe employee. "It was like people were trapped inside for a little bit."
In addition to clearing storm drains, San Francisco's Department of Public Works is also preparing for high winds to avoid downed tree branches across the city, as seen during storms earlier this year near Dolores Park.
"We're going to have our tree crews on duty and on call," said Rachel Gordon, a Public Works representative. "We do see at the beginning of storm season more trees coming down, and as it goes forward into the winter, heavy rains and saturated grounds mean trees can come down."
North Bay
The North Bay is expected to bear the brunt of the Atmospheric River.
"We're hearing Atmospheric River and while we don't know how much water is going to come through, we know a lot of that rainwater will be in our river system and that means a lot of high fast moving water," said Andrea Rodriguez, Sonoma Water Communications Manager.
An inflatable dam in the Russian River near Forestville marks the start of the winter rainy season when forecasts show river flow increasing, and the dam is lowered.
"The inflatable dam is filled with water and holds 180,000 gallons of water so we're slowly releasing the water back into the river," she said.
"It will take another 24 hours for the dam to completely sit on the bottom. If this Atmospheric River materializes as forecasted, the water could come up at street level by the weekend.
A fishery team was also on site to remove underwater cameras and lights to protect the gear from fast moving waters.
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They're part of the monitoring program, that so far, has tallied 1,200 chinook salmon traveling up river in the last month- a healthy number.
The Russian River could peak at over 24 feet by the weekend, and residents of Guerneville know the drill.
"Clean your gutters, clean your storm drains, get your batteries for your flashlights, charge your radio, charge your cell phone, fill the fuel tank in your vehicle. Get ready," said Mark Pedroia, who lives in Guerneville.
"When I say we've been through it many times, we've been through it for a lifetime."
On Tuesday afternoon, Joanna McCarber was busy filling sandbags at one of the several locations set up around Marin County.
"I live on a slope so I need to put them below my storm drain because water just comes pummeling out of there. So I'm going to try to reroute the water," McCarber said.
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McCarber isn't the only one getting ready either.
"Making sure that our various systems of creeks and floodways are clear of debris and ready to take on a rise in waterflow from the intense rains," said Marin County spokesperson, Laine Hendricks.
PG&E, too, says they're gearing up for what's set to be the biggest storm of the season.
"We've really pre-staged all of our equipment. I'm talking about power lines, power poles, transformers. They're really in locations that are easy to access when we need them if we do see power outages," said spokesperson Stephanie Magallon.
At the Ritter Center in San Rafael, CEO Mark Shotwell says while these winter storms are difficult on everyone, they're especially challenging for the unhoused.
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He and his team showed us the food, clothing and other items they provide to people on streets to help them get through the storm.
"When this weather comes, this is really a life-threatening situation for the people that we serve. And, unfortunately, they don't really have a place to get to to stay dry," Shotwell said.
County officials are advising people to get prepared now, with go bags and other important items ready to go.
A lesson McCarber says she knows too well, after having her own share of flooding experiences with past storms.
"We're all kind of in denial in the Bay Area and then all of a sudden it comes every year like a big shock. But we should all know by now that it happens," McCarber said.
