The National Weather Service, Bay Area, has issued a heavy rain, high wind gust, and flash flood warning from this evening until Monday.
Rainfall is expected throughout the Bay Area, with the heaviest rainfall expected in the North Bay. Rainfall volumes in the North Bay are expected to overwhelm waterways and roadway drainage systems, leading to flash flooding. Additionally, high wind gusts are expected throughout the Bay Area from 20-40 MPH, with potential gusts up to 40-60 MPH.
As you drive during this storm, please take the following notes into consideration:
– Roadways will be especially slippery during the first hours of rainfall, especially after the recent dry spell. Be extra cautious when driving during the initial hours of rainfall.
– Freeways will often flood nearest to the roadway edges, especially on elevated roadways with walls on both sides. Avoid the outside lanes, especially at night.
– Never drive through standing water. You never know how deep the water is, and what may be lurking beneath the surface.
– The primary method of avoiding collisions during severe weather is to slow down. Slower speeds prevent hydroplaning, which often leads to crashes. Extra following distance will also help if someone crashes ahead.
– Whenever your windshield wipers are on, your headlights should be as well. Often, vehicles are not visible without head and taillights.
– Prepare your vehicle now. Replace windshield wipers if necessary, check your brakes and your fluids. The worst time to break down is during heavy weather. Towing services are usually overwhelmed with collisions, and response times are delayed.
If you experience an emergency on the freeway, call 9-1-1 from your mobile phone. Please be aware that CHP response times are often delayed due to the high volume of calls. If you experience a minor collision, please move out of the roadway as soon as possible to prevent secondary collisions and to keep our Bay Area roadways moving!
Source: CHP Golden Gate
