A significant storm is expected today that will last until
Wednesday, according to forecasters.
A significant storm is expected today that will last until Wednesday, according to forecasters.
The service issued a warning that Central and Northern California will receive a “potent storm system” that will last almost 48 hours, with rain up to six inches and wind gusts up to 60 miles per hour.
Diane Henderson, forecaster for the National Weather Service’s Monterey station, said the weather will likely affect afternoon commuters today with anywhere from one to five inches of rain and winds upwards of 20 to 30 miles per hour with gusts hitting 45 miles per hour.
“We’ll be pretty much soaked,” Henderson said.
She said this type of storm is rare for October.
The school district, which is currently overseeing several construction projects, did not return a phone call or e-mail to answer whether the storm would impact any of the projects.
Morgan Hill’s Public Works yard has sandbags available for businesses and residents affected by possible flooding. They can be picked up at 100 Edes Court starting at 4 p.m. today. Edes is west of Monterey Road between Cosmo Lane and Tennant Avenue.
City spokesman Brian Stott said the city is just concerned about tree limbs breaking as they are about rain. Deputy Public Works Director Mori Struve said the city hasn’t trimmed the 4,000 trees lining Morgan Hill’s streets for about three years, due to budget cuts. This lack of maintenance makes them more susceptible to breaking in heavy rain and high winds, Struve said.
Santa Clara Valley Water District spokeswoman Susan Siravo looked on the bright side, saying a storm this heavy this early in the season could provide some relief to the drought plaguing the state.
“It’s encouraging to see a storm of this strength,” she said. “We need a series of these kinds of storms. We certainly need more than one.”
Siravo said that, since it’s still early in the storm season, the water district will not provide sandbags at the El Toro Fire Station this week. She said the district doesn’t anticipate overflow at any of the district’s South County creeks or streams.
More information on the storm and Gilroy specific information will be posted later this afternoon.
