# California Storm Watch - Stay Safe \[early Feb, 2024\] **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 4, 2024, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-storm-watch-stay-safe-early-feb-2024/997083 "2024-02-04T02:37:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Lancia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lancia/32/17174_2.png) [@Lancia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lancia)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2024, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-storm-watch-stay-safe-early-feb-2024/997083/61 "2024-02-04T23:14:13Z")
I’m in central Douglas County, Oregon, 90 miles north of the California/Oregon border. Its raining pretty good at the moment, but has been dry up until about an hour ago. The weather forcast is for rain through tonight then a 60% chance of rain tomorrow, which means it’ll be raining 60% of the day. No wind, as usual. Rain is no big deal for us. I do _not_ want wind. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Borgia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_borgia/32/156_2.png) [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2024, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-storm-watch-stay-safe-early-feb-2024/997083/62 "2024-02-04T23:58:51Z")
Just landed at SFO. That was…exciting. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2024, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-storm-watch-stay-safe-early-feb-2024/997083/63 "2024-02-05T00:08:24Z")
We were in Simi Valley when we got the flash flood warning alert. The drive back on the 118 into SFO had the worst visibility I have ever seen. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2024, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-storm-watch-stay-safe-early-feb-2024/997083/64 "2024-02-05T00:23:28Z")
It’s been whipping pretty good for a few hours, but almost no rain at all, and lots of sun…but now a dark cloud has covered up the blue sky. ---
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2024, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-storm-watch-stay-safe-early-feb-2024/997083/65 "2024-02-05T01:27:07Z")
Power has been out for about an hour or so. I hate when the power goes out. ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2024, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-storm-watch-stay-safe-early-feb-2024/997083/66 "2024-02-05T01:28:46Z")
Our power is on, but a large proportion of the city is out (Stockton). Many signals are dark, but people are playing nicely. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2024, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-storm-watch-stay-safe-early-feb-2024/997083/67 "2024-02-05T01:36:10Z")
The heavy rain has stopped (for now) and only minor flooding in parts of downtown. The last storm was worse with much heavier rain over a shorter duration. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2024, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-storm-watch-stay-safe-early-feb-2024/997083/68 "2024-02-05T02:56:19Z")
I was asleep a lot of the afternoon, but DH reports a couple of brief power outages. We’ve had to reset alarm clocks and the stove clock. The iPod dock on my nightstand changed volume at some point too (it was annoyingly loud when I woke up, it’s normally set to soft-background level). Not currently raining. I’m in south Sacramento, not that much north of the Elk Grove border. ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2024, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-storm-watch-stay-safe-early-feb-2024/997083/69 "2024-02-05T03:19:50Z")
I’m in the same area as @snowthx. It’s been windy all afternoon but it started getting _really_ windy around maybe 6pm. The power has flickered off for a few seconds several times, but no prolonged outages yet. I usually listen to the local NPR station while I’m doing housework on Sunday afternoon, but their broadcast signal has been off the air for the past several hours. I’m guessing the wind must have damaged their transmitter. I can listen over the internet though. The metal chimney for my wood stove (which I never actually use) has gotten blown partly over and is standing at an angle now. And the cap that goes on top of it has been blown completely off. No way I’m going up on the roof to fix it until this wind dies down. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2024, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-storm-watch-stay-safe-early-feb-2024/997083/70 "2024-02-05T03:30:26Z")
The creeks are at capacity and there have been a lot of downed trees one of which took out part of a couple of apartments in Goleta. One creek near the airport did over run and the airport is shut down. We didn’t get a whole lot of wind. I ran out to the grocery store during a break in the rain and it was an absolute joy. Fully stocked (so the panic buying on Friday and Saturday wasn’t an issue), fully staffed and only like two other customers other than me. ---
**Author:** ![bobsmom101](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobsmom101/32/2867_2.png) [@bobsmom101](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobsmom101)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2024, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-storm-watch-stay-safe-early-feb-2024/997083/71 "2024-02-05T03:33:16Z")
So far my house is still standing, but a big pine fell on my neighbors’ house and totalled it. It was an extreme fixer when they bought it 3 years ago, just finished a $0.5 million complete renovation and now this. Totalled their car too. They all are OK, luckily. Simultaneously, a giant eucalyptus fell on a power line 2 blocks away and everything is dark . I bundled up the dog, hit Safeway for some comfort food, and checked into a motel. My friends up the road in Loomis clocked a 51 mph gust. I know this sounds puny to those of you who are in hurricane or tornado land, but we aren’t prepared for it! ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2024, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-storm-watch-stay-safe-early-feb-2024/997083/72 "2024-02-05T03:34:03Z")
SMUD’s power outage map has been down for a couple of hours. KCRA said it’s crashed due to the number of outages. I find that odd, since I’ve seen that map go over 300k customers without power and still work. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2024, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-storm-watch-stay-safe-early-feb-2024/997083/73 "2024-02-05T04:00:38Z")
Seeing a report that outages are up to ~2 million for the day so far. I’ve been pretty lucky - not even a flicker yet. But the wind hasn’t stopped and the rain started for me again about two hours ago, sheeting in sideways. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2024, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-storm-watch-stay-safe-early-feb-2024/997083/74 "2024-02-05T04:30:05Z")
I have relatives there, who are fine so far, and they’re glad that the rain’s stopped. My kid’s taking me to the area, flying in mid-week. Hope the airport and roads are open then! ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2024, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-storm-watch-stay-safe-early-feb-2024/997083/75 "2024-02-05T04:44:35Z")
> [@Seanette](#): > > SMUD’s power outage map has been down for a couple of hours. KCRA said it’s crashed due to the number of outages. I find that odd, since I’ve seen that map go over 300k customers without power and still work. I wonder if they misspoke and it’s really down due to the number of people checking for outages. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2024, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-storm-watch-stay-safe-early-feb-2024/997083/76 "2024-02-05T04:48:27Z")
Seems more likely to me, really. KCRA is one of the most dependable for weather forecasts, but the quality of their writing does leave a bit to be desired (not that any of the other local TV stations do much better). ---
**Author:** ![Bob\_Blaylock](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_blaylock/32/3235_2.png) [@Bob\_Blaylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bob_Blaylock)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2024, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-storm-watch-stay-safe-early-feb-2024/997083/77 "2024-02-05T06:40:22Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > A massive storm is about to hit us and we are preparing for flooding and highway closures. Hardest hit is expected to Santa Barbara (where I am) and Ventura Counties. > > (This could potentially be serious. Can we please avoid the ignorant Californians don’t know “real weather” dumbfuckery? Our geography and infrastructure aren’t built for this).   I grew up in Santa Barbara.  Normally, a very mild climate.   I am now remembering, that during the time that @Seanette and I were engaged, there was a very big store that hit Santa Barbara.  I remember us foolishly venturing out into it one night, to go to K-Mart to exchange a defective cassette player, and finding some normally-very-reliable roads blocked with mud and debris.  That would have been 1994 or early 1995.   We live in Sacramento, now, which is a much rougher climate than Santa Barbara.  The storm hitting is now is not unusual for Sacramento, but would be very unusual in Santa Barbara; though I think what we got hit with back in Santa Barbara in 1994-1995 is much worse than what’s hit us so far, here in Sacramento, with the current batch of storms. ---
**Author:** ![Bob\_Blaylock](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_blaylock/32/3235_2.png) [@Bob\_Blaylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bob_Blaylock)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2024, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-storm-watch-stay-safe-early-feb-2024/997083/78 "2024-02-05T07:01:45Z")
  For those of you who have followed the story of @Seanette’s and my former stray that decided, almost two years ago, to be our cat…   Earlier today, as I was aware that we were supposed to get a pretty bad storm, later, I was wondering if I might be able to get Buddy to pose by a window, looking out at the storm, and include it in a post on Facebook commenting on how much he must now appreciate a warm, dry home, after however many of these storms he’d surely had to weather, in the past, outside with no such shelter.   As I was pondering this, he went to the back door and meowed to be let out. It was very windy, at the time, but not yet much rain.  Sure enough, he went out, and spent some time out on the patio, before meowing to be let back in.  He surely appreciates having comfortable home to come into, but he’s no stranger to being out in bad weather, and I guess he isn’t as averse to it as I would have expected. > **[A Certain Orange Cat | I meant to post the following, here, in this group, a...](https://www.facebook.com/groups/acertainorangecat/permalink/397057456182723/)** > > I meant to post the following, here, in this group, a few hours ago, but it seems that instead, I posted it to my personal feed. > ——— > With a big storm predicted to come in, soon, I was thinking that... ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2024, 7:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-storm-watch-stay-safe-early-feb-2024/997083/79 "2024-02-05T07:20:02Z")
I moved here in 1990 and the 1995 storm was much worse and possibly the worst one in our history. For the last several years of my career I worked a short walk from that KMart. It’s a Target now and much nicer. ---
**Author:** ![teelabrown](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/teelabrown/32/8412_2.png) [@teelabrown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teelabrown)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2024, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-storm-watch-stay-safe-early-feb-2024/997083/80 "2024-02-05T13:03:16Z")
Yesterday afternoon we had some of the windiest weather I can remember for this area. Some gusts were clocked at higher than 40 mph, which is a lot for us. It rained heavily nearly all day, with occasional bouts of extreme downpours. I saw when I got up a half hour ago that we had a power outage overnight, because all the clocks were on the blink. Luckily our crummy fence between us and the neighbors from hell didn’t blow down. It would have released their pitbulls into our backyard. The forecast is for more rain today, especially this morning, but tapering away by the end of the day. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-storm-watch-stay-safe-early-feb-2024/997083.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-storm-watch-stay-safe-early-feb-2024/997083.md?page=5)