Flooding, mudslide concern in Santa Cruz Mountains today

SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS, Calif. (KGO) -- Residents in the Santa Cruz Mountains are preparing for everything from treacherous driving to potential mudslides.

When the rain falls down hard in the Santa Cruz Mountains -- you have to be prepared.

RELATED: Track the rain on Live Doppler 7

"I drive around with a full tank of gas when possible because of mudslides and stuff like that. And I've got a lot of firewood lately," said Jane Christmann, Boulder Creek resident.

This storm is expected to be a doozy. A flash flood watch has been posted for the Santa Cruz Mountains.

ABC7 News went up near the area where the Loma Fire burned this past September and October. This area was stripped of its vegetation, close to 4,500 acres burned. People will have to be on the lookout for rock and mud slides. ABC7 News came across a small slide on Loma Prieta Way.

MORE: ABC7 AccuWeather forecast for Thursday

PG&E will be also be busy with power outages. Oh, and don't forget about the treacherous Highway 17. A white pickup truck crashed during the morning commute. Residents know to expect the unexpected.

"On Highway 17 there's a lot times there's mudslides that block the road -- that ties up traffic," said Terri Riemer, Scotts Valley resident.

"So you could end up in the valley have a difficult time getting back here tonight here, right?" asked ABC7's Matt Keller.

"I could. I'm not looking forward to it but you've got to work, so," said Riemer.

Not everyone dreads the stormy weather.

"I'm the only guy in shorts," said Santa Cruz resident Doug Hipwell.

Hipwell isn't afraid of a little or a lot of rain.

"So you're wearing a Stanford hat so we know you're smart, but you're wearing shorts here," asked Keller.

"I always wear shorts... I do. Cause it's beautiful. I'm from the Midwest. I love the weather here it's always great," said Hipwell.

"So, when we tell you 4-6 inches of rain?" asked Keller.

"That's nothing. Nothing, absolutely," said Hipwell.

"Why not wear shorts? Why not be comfortable?" asked Keller.

"That's exactly right. It's all in the mind. It's all in the attitude." said Hipwell.

Once people get back to Santa Cruz, they'll have to deal with possible coastal flooding due to king tides.

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