Incoming storm stokes flooding fears in North Bay Fire burn zones

SANTA ROSA, Calif. (KGO) -- There's concern in the North Bay as the first significant winter storm of the season makes landfall.[br /][br /]The system could bring heavy rains, mudslides and possible flash flooding to areas around Santa Rosa devastated by the October wildfires.[br /][Ads /][br /]"I'm trying to get ahead of the storm by replacing my fence. I hope some of the burned shrubs on my hillside prevent the earth from sliding," said Fountaingrove homeowner Yun Tran.[br /][br /]Tran was lucky, his Fountaingrove home was spared by fire.[br /][br /]Mudslides are biggest concern.[br /][br /]Most vegetation was wiped out in the firestorm. The city is improvising with miles of straw wattles for erosion control.[br /][br /]"We are in a wait and see mode, waiting to see what the storm will bring but we are prepared," said Paul Lowenthal from the Santa Rosa Fire Department.[br /][Ads /][br /]Lowenthal says most of the underground storm drains damaged in the wildfires have been repaired or replaced.[br /][br /]The fire department is using social media to get the word out to neighbors about the possibility of heavy rains, mudslides and flash flooding.[br /][br /]The fire department will use emergency notifications to alert neighbors if evacuations become necessary.[br /][br /][br /][b][url HREF="http://abc7news.com/apps/" TARGET="" REL=""]Click here[/url] to download the ABC7 News App to get your weather forecast on the go. And make sure you enable push alerts for immediate notifications and severe weather alerts.[/b][/url]