Storm causes flooding, fallen power lines; expected to taper off
by the weekend
Gilroy – Umbrella-less locals rushed to waiting cars or dashed for cover during a wet and windy Thursday.
Just days after locals were enjoying unseasonably warm weather, the storm charged into Gilroy, flooding streets that were choked up with fall foliage and knocking down power lines.
By 5pm, 1.1 inches had fallen in Gilroy. Heinz Maibaum, a firefighter at the Chestnut Fire Station, said the storm didn’t cause any local accidents but the winds gusting to 33 mph did knock down power lines in residential areas.
Also, city crews were out clearing drains to relieve the flooding around the Gilroy area, said Maibaum.
The National Weather Service issued a flood advisory for Santa Clara County until 7pm Thursday. Thunderstorms were also expected for the evening, with gusts reaching 17 mph and temperatures dropping from a high of 62 to a low of 51.
“What you see out there is what you’re going to have for a good portion of the season,” said Diana Henderson spokesperson with the National Weather Service.
“The heavy stuff should be tapering off (Thursday night),” she said.
Today, winds are expected to slow down and the sky should remain drearily overcast but there’s only a 30 percent chance of showers.
Sun-lovers might want to hitch a ride out of town next week. According to the seven-day forecast, rain will subside after Friday, but the clouds will stick around all next week.
Temperatures are expected to hit the mid- to upper-60s.
But skiers should be pleased as the storm swept through the Sierra and into western Nevada, dropping 16 inches of snow at the higher elevations and closing highways in the valleys because of 100 mph winds.
A winter storm warning was in effect above 7,000 feet until Friday morning. By that time, forecasters said 22 to 44 inches of snow could be on the ground. About 2 to 4 inches were likely below 7,000 feet.
Strong winds also were forecast with gusts to 50 mph at lower levels and more than 100 mph over the ridges.
A wind warning was in effect for western Nevada for southwest winds 20-40 mph with gusts to 70 mph. U.S. 95 was closed between Fallon and Luning because of winds that peaked at 100 mph.
Strong winds also buffeted western Nevada on Wednesday ahead of the storm. Washoe City south of Reno had peaks to 68 mph.
Mount Rose-Ski Tahoe joined other Sierra resorts by announcing its opening on Friday. Alpine Meadows also was to open on Friday, followed by Squaw Valley on Saturday. Kirkwood opened on Thursday.
