Community Corner
Bay Area Getting Soaked as Pacific Storm Packs a Punch
Forecaster Bob Benjamin said there could be some brief downpours throughout the day, with the heavier showers expected to fall south of San Francisco.
By Bay City News Service:
Off-and-on heavy showers are expected to fall throughout the Bay Area for the rest of the day Friday, a National Weather Service forecaster said.
Forecaster Bob Benjamin said there could be some brief downpours throughout the day, with the heavier showers expected to fall south of San Francisco.
"Don't totally discount the chance of thunderstorms," Benjamin said.
He said heavy showers are causing highway and roadway problems and flooding from clogged storm drains.
Urban flood advisories in Santa Cruz and Monterey counties expired around 10 a.m. as the storm tapered off.
According to the California Highway Patrol, there are many flooded roadways in all parts of the Bay Area. There is a chance of showers through Saturday, with the Monterey area and South Bay more likely to get the brunt of the storm.
"It might not hurt to have a rain jacket or a small umbrella," Benjamin said.
The next chance of rain comes next Wednesday or Thursday, he said.
As of 10 a.m., there had been .88 inches of rain in San Francisco since midnight. Precipitation in the city is at 43 percent of average for this time of year, Benjamin said.
"It's not a drought buster," he said. "But it's definitely a step in the right direction."
San Francisco International Airport duty manager Joe Walsh said as of 10 a.m., 87 flights had been canceled because of the weather. The cancellations have affected 41 arrivals and 46 departures, while delays into and out of the airport are anywhere between 30 and 60 minutes..
No cancellations were reported Friday morning at Oakland International and Mineta San Jose airports, according to airport officials.
The storm blowing through the Bay Area had knocked out power to 13,089 PG&E customers throughout the Bay Area as of 10 a.m. Friday morning, utility officials said.
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