Intense California Storm Caused $2.6 Million in Damage to Sonoma County

Facing more than $2 million in damage from last month’s atmospheric river, Sonoma County supervisors passed a local emergency proclamation this week to help cover the costs.

Late November’s record-breaking storm took areas of the county off-guard, pushing the Russian River watershed from very dry to flood stage within days.

Heavy rains and winds triggered landslides, toppled trees, cut power and damaged roads. Some of those roads are crucial evacuation routes, and the erosion and danger could worsen if they’re not fixed before more storms hit this season.

The damage to roads, cities and communities was $2.6 million, according to the county. The local emergency proclamation, which was approved unanimously by the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, allows the county to pursue state and federal funds to help cover repair costs.

The county will also be able to sidestep the lengthier contracting and bidding process that is standard for road repairs.

Starting Nov. 20, the intense atmospheric river storm poured as much as a foot and a half of rain on parts of Sonoma County, including over 13 inches measured at the Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport. The rainfall surpassed weather records and was a 1-in-1,000-year event, according to weather officials.

Two people died during the storm. On Monday, the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office identified them as Jeffrey Fox, 82, of Guerneville and William Fowler, 64, of Santa Rosa.

Fox was found dead in a car submerged in floodwaters in Guerneville. Fowler’s body was recovered from Piner Creek, but police said his death does not appear to be storm-related, and they do not suspect foul play.

The emergency proclamation comes on the heels of criticisms from some in the community who said Sonoma County’s Department of Emergency Management caused confusion and delay in failing to adequately warn about the storm’s dangers.

Emergency officials said they were following official forecasts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Weather Service. The intensity of the storm at its peak was stronger than initially forecast.

KQED’s Sara Hossaini contributed to this report.