Flood Warning Issued for Navarro River in Mendocino County; Highway 128 Closure Expected

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Eureka has issued a Flood Warning for the Navarro River at Navarro in Mendocino County. The warning is in effect until 7:00 AM PST Wednesday, February 25.

Affected Areas

The warning specifically affects the Navarro River at Navarro in Mendocino County. Impacted locations include Highway 128, approximately five miles east of Highway 1.

What You Should Do

Motorists are advised to “Turn around, don’t drown” when encountering flooded roads, as most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Do not attempt to drive around barricades or through flooded areas. Travelers should use alternate routes as the closure of Highway 128 is certain once the river reaches flood stage. Exercise extreme caution at night when flood hazards are more difficult to identify.

Expected Conditions

Minor flooding is forecast for the region. At 7:15 PM PST Tuesday, the river stage was recorded at 20.5 feet. The river is expected to rise above the flood stage of 23.0 feet late Tuesday evening, reaching a crest of 26.5 feet just after midnight. At the 23.0-foot mark, flooding of Highway 128 is certain, and the road will be closed. This forecast crest of 26.5 feet is comparable to a historical crest of 26.7 feet recorded in March 2011.

Timeline

• Effective Period: Tuesday evening through 7:00 AM PST Wednesday.
• Flood Stage Onset: Late Tuesday evening.
• Peak Crest: Just after midnight tonight.
• Recession: The river is expected to fall below flood stage on Wednesday morning.