NOTE: For more information and a video of the rescue, see our follow-up post here.

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UPDATE, 3:30 p.m.:

Press release from the Ferndale Volunteer Fire Department:

A coordinated multi-agency effort saved the life of a 72 year old woman today after her vehicle became trapped in rising floodwaters and began floating downriver near the intersection of Fulmor Road and Goble Lane in Ferndale.

The emergency call reported a harrowing scene: a vehicle swept into the current with the driver still inside. At the time of the initial report, water levels had already reached the woman’s chest, creating a race against time for local first responders.

The complexity of the scene required a massive mobilization of local and state resources. Because the vehicle was unstable and drifting, a diverse group of agencies converged on the riverbank to coordinate the extraction.

Ferndale Fire Department & Eel River Valley Technical Rescue Team (ERVTRT): Provided specialized water rescue personnel.
Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office & CHP: Managed scene safety and logistics.

City Ambulance: Staged for immediate medical intervention.
Humboldt County Public Works: Assisted with regional access.
U.S. Coast Guard: Deployed a helicopter for aerial extraction.

Rescue swimmers from Ferndale Fire Department and ERVTRT entered the water to reach the semi submerged car and stabilize the victim.
In a display of community spirit and ingenuity, the Cahill Dairy provided critical assistance. The dairy’s operators utilized their heavy duty farm tractors to assist rescuers in navigating the difficult terrain and turbulent water, proving instrumental in the positioning of the rescue teams.

With the vehicle’s position precarious, the Coast Guard Helicopter arrived on the scene, and a rescue basket was deployed.
The 72 year old woman was successfully lifted from the water and into the aircraft. She was immediately flown to St. Joseph Hospital for treatment and evaluation. While her current condition has not been released, the swift actions of the “boots on the ground,” and those in the air, prevented a certain tragedy.

“This rescue highlights the incredible cooperation between our professional agencies and the local community,” said Chief Rick Nicholson of Ferndale Fire Department. “From the technical swimmers to the Cahill family’s tractors, everyone played a part in saving a life today.”

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UPDATE, 2:42 p.m.:

The woman has been rescued and taken via Coast Guard helicopter to St. Joseph Hospital, according to Ferndale Fire Public Information Officer Jif D’Aguanno.

He told the Outpost via phone a few minutes ago that the 72-year-old woman attempted to cross the flooded roadway, but the water was too deep. Her vehicle “started getting taken away by the tide” and then “floated away.”

Ferndale Fire personnel responded along with the Eel River Valley Technical Rescue Team, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, City Ambulance, a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter and the local Cahill family, who contributed two tractors to the rescue effort.  One of those tractors was able to effect a rescue from the vehicle, after which the woman was picked up via a Coast Guard rescue basket, hauled into the helicopter and transported to the hospital, D’Aguanno said. 

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UPDATE, 2 p.m.:

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Special Services unit is on the scene conducting a rescue attempt of the trapped motorist, Lt. Jesse Taylor said via email. Taylor added that a Coast Guard helicopter is overhead, assisting with the ground units.

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Original post:

Emergency responders are attempting to locate and rescue a 72-year-old woman who was last seen inside a white SUV, submerged to her neck in a flooded field along the Eel River north of Ferndale, according to scanner traffic.

Ferndale Volunteer Fire Department Chief Rick Nicholson has requested help from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office and a helicopter from the Coast Guard. His office is also using a swift rescue boat, according to local resident Caroline Titus.

“He’s done this many times,” Titus said.

The woman called for help at approximately 1:10 p.m., saying she was “floating downstream,” a dispatcher said. She was located off of Fulmor road, near its intersection with Goble Lane, according to scanner traffic.

This news is breaking. We will update when we have more information. The location below is approximate, based on scanner traffic.

Press release from the Eureka Police Department:

On December 18th, 2025, Eureka Police Department, assisted by the California Highway Patrol conducted a Driver’s License and DUI Checkpoint in the 100 Blk of W. Fourth, (SB US Hwy 101).

The Checkpoint was operational from 6PM – 11PM.

During that time 432 vehicles passed through the checkpoint location.

Of the 432 drivers who were contacted, 22 were sent through secondary screening (or T-Stopped) for suspected Driver’s License violations or for further DUI Screening.

• 13 Field Sobriety Tests were conducted.
• 3 were arrested for DUI.
• 1 Citation was issued for driving without a valid driver’s license.
• 3 Vehicles were towed.

Thank you to the agencies involved: California Highway Patrol and Eureka Volunteer Patrol.

DUI checkpoint locations are determined based on reported incidents of impaired driving-related crashes. The primary purpose of DUI checkpoints is to promote public safety by taking suspected impaired drivers off roads. Funding for this checkpoint was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Press release from Eureka City Schools:

In a ceremonial signing at the Humboldt County Office of Education (HCOE), the dignitaries of Eureka City Schools, Lafayette Elementary School, Linsen Elementary School, and Taiwan’s Ministry of Education met over Zoom to formalize the relationship. The event began with the recognition of dignitaries from both countries, followed by a performance by the Recorder Choir of Linsen Elementary School.

Principal Quincy Brownfield of Lafayette Elementary School, highlighted the significance of the new partnership. “Though the Pacific Ocean separates our schools, what unites us is far greater than the distance between us. We share a belief in the transformative power of education — an education that connects young people to the world, prepares them to be curious global citizens, and encourages them to learn not only from textbooks, but from one another.

“Last summer, one of our teachers, Mr. Nick Williams, had the privilege of visiting Taiwan through the California–Taiwan Global Classroom Connect program. He returned filled with enthusiasm — energized by the hospitality, innovation, and warmth he experienced in Taiwan. That spark has since spread throughout our school community. Our students now talk eagerly about their peers across the world — peers they already feel connected to through shared learning.”

Mrs. Brownfield concluded, “We are proud to stand with Linsen Elementary School, knowing that together, we can foster learner agency, cultural understanding, and a strong foundation for success in an interconnected world. As we say xiè xiè (謝謝) —, meaning “thank you” — we honor the goodwill and collaboration that have led to this moment.”

Following remarks from representatives of Taiwan’s Ministry of Education and the Principal of Linsen Elementary School, the principals of both schools signed the memorandum of understanding simultaneously. Photos were taken to commemorate the virtual ceremony. This concluded with comments from Jennifer Johnson, Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services for Eureka City Schools, expressing gratitude for everyone’s dedication to global education.

For more information regarding global education in Humboldt County, visit https://globalclassroomconnect.org/. Local Educators are also invited to participate in the Global Education Forum on February 28, 2026. Contact Greg Gaiera ggaiera@hcoe.org for registration information, or register at http://tinyurl.com/cgef2026

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Dec. 21 has never been so wet! Our friends at the National Weather Service (NWS) office in Eureka say Sunday’s deluge broke the Dec. 21 rainfall record on Woodley Island with 2.72 inches of rain. The last time it rained that much on Woodley Island — or nearly that much —  was during the Christmas Flood of 1964.

More rain is on the way tonight! A flood watch will remain in effect through Friday. The NWS says we can expect another four to eight inches of rain between now and then. 

Stay dry out there, folks!

UPDATE, 4 P.M.: The Humboldt County Department of Public Works issued the following update on local road conditions:

The following roads are flooded:

• Howard Heights
• Cannibal Island Rd .10 mile from Eel River to end of road
• Graham Rd 
• Zanes Rd
• Berta Rd
• Old Arcata Rd between Graham Rd and Jacoby Creek Rd
• Eel River @ Hookton – road is muddy and slippery
• Ambrosini Lane
• Rose Ave
• Fernbridge Dr Northbound Lane 

The following roads are closed:

• Port Kenyon is closed between Market and California
• Hookton Rd is closed between Tompkins Hill Rd and Highway 101 due to the flooding.
• Mad River Rd is closed at P.M. 2.75 (Tye City) due to flooding
• Goble between Fulmor and Hwy 211
• Camp Weott at Dillon
• Fulmor from Goble to the end
• Glendale Drive - 100 feet northwest of Liscom Hill Rd closed due to flooding
• Redwood Dr from Evergreen Rd to Bear Canyon Rd closed due to a slide
• Fernbridge Dr Northbound Lane closed to the bridge due to flooding
• Coffee Creek is closed due to flooding from P.M. 1.00 to 1.25
• Meridian Road closed between P.M. .5 to .9
• Wilder Ridge Rd at P.M. 6.9 closed due to flooding
• Crannell Rd is closed at Dows Prairie Rd due to flooding
• Waddington Rd from Pleasant Point Rd to Substation Rd
• Goble Lane from Fulmor to Hwy 211 closed
• Nissen Rd from Goble Lane to the end closed
• Dillon Rd
• Sage Rd from Goble to the end
• Goble between Dillon Rd and Nissen Rd

Drive safely. Road conditions will be updated as soon as they become available.

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Original post: The waterlogged lowlands of Humboldt County have drained a bit overnight, allowing local roads and highways to reopen. (Hwy. 101 reopened yesterday evening; SR 211 into/out of Ferndale and Avenue of the Giants are open to one-way traffic.) 

Water levels have also begun to recede in local rivers. The Mad reached moderate flood stage Sunday afternoon, and the Eel remains in moderate flood stage as of this writing, though it peaked in the wee hours and is now on its way down. 

However, the entire North Coast region will remain on flood watch through Friday evening, according to the National Weather Service.

Here’s more info from that agency:

FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM THIS EVENING THROUGH FRIDAY EVENING…

• WHAT…Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible.
• WHERE…Del Norte County, Humboldt County, Trinity County, Mendocino County, and Lake County.
• WHEN…From this evening through Friday evening.
• IMPACTS…There will be an increased risk of rock and land slides along roadways. Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas. Area creeks and streams are running high and could flood with more heavy rain.
• ADDITIONAL DETAILS… Additional rounds of heavy rain are likely again starting tonight and continuing through Friday night. An additional 4-8 inches of total precipitation is possible through Friday. There will be breaks in the heavy precipitation, but heavy rain falling on
  already saturated ground will promote flooding impacts. Additional precipitation amounts of 4-8 inches are possible through Friday.
• PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
  You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible Flood Warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop.

UPDATE, 3:28 p.m.:

One southbound lane of Hwy. 101 has been reopened. Still no estimated time for reopening the northbound lanes.

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UPDATE, 1:18 p.m.:

Hwy. 101 is now fully closed from just north of Loleta Drive to the Tompkins Hill Road overhead bridge near College of the Redwoods. Video from First District Supervisor Rex Bohn:

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UPDATE, 1:12 p.m.:

And now northbound 101 is fully closed from the bottom of the hill a quarter mile north of Loleta Drive to Tompkins Hill Road. No estimated time of reopening.

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UPDATE, 12:53 p.m.:

Add State Route 36 to the list of road closures. Flooding is, of course, the culprit, and there’s currently no estimated time of reopening.

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Original post:

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Rain is wreaking havoc across Humboldt County today, leading to widespread flooding in Freshwater and the Eel River Valley, creating dangerous driving conditions on area roads and prompting emergency rescue efforts for stranded residents.

Flash flood warnings are in effect across the northern and southern portions of the county. In fact, the whole county has been placed on “Flood Watch” status by the National Weather Service. 

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Swiftwater Rescue Team is actively helping flooded residences in the Freshwater area, as seen in the photo above. The office advises people to shelter in place, if possible, and dial 911 if you’re experiencing a safety emergency, of course.

“Do not attempt to cross flooded roadways or moving water on foot or in a vehicle,” the Sheriff’s Office says. “The water is extremely swift and cold and can quickly become overwhelming and life threatening.”

State Route 211 leading into and out of Ferndale is currently closed, as is Avenue of the Giants (State Route 254).

The Eel River is forecasted to reach flood stage by 9 p.m. and continue through Monday evening, peaking at 22.5 feet at around 5 a.m. Monday.

The Mad River is expected to reach minor flood stage around 5 p.m. with a peak of 22 feet. 

According to the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, the following roads were flooded, as of about 11 a.m.:

• Howard Heights between Kneeland and Howard Heights Road
• Hookton Rd west of Tompkins Hill Road
• Myrtle Ave at Freshwater Road
• Old Arcata Rd between Graham Rd and Jacoby Creek Road
• Graham Road
• Zanes Road
• Crannell Road
• Berta Road
• Glendale Drive - 100 feet northwest of Liscom Hill Road
• Ambrosini Lane
• Waddington Road between addresses 2400 and 2504

And the following roads have been closed:

• Eel River Road  and Hookton Road is closed due to flooding
• Old Arcata Road between Graham Road and Jacoby Creek Road is closed due to flooding.
• Freshwater Road between Greenwood Heights Drive and Garfield School is a HARD CLOSURE due to flooding. Use the detour through Greenwood Heights Drive to get to the Kneeland area.
• Elk River Road 1/2 mile before Wrigley Road is closed due to flooding
• Fernbridge Drive Northbound Lane closed to the bridge due to flooding.
• Coffee Creek is closed due to flooding from P.M. 1.00 to 1.25
• Meridian Road between post marker 0.5 to 0.9

Stay safe out there, folks.

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Press release from Humboldt Bay Fire:

Humboldt Bay Fire (HBF) regrets to announce the temporary closure of Fire Station 3, located at 2905 Ocean Ave., in Eureka for the unforeseeable future following significant damage caused by recent winter storm.

A fallen tree impacted the station, resulting in the loss of gas and power, as well as structural damage to the station. The incident has also disrupted communications, as Station 3 houses key radio repeater equipment critical to operations in the central area of the City of Eureka.

To ensure uninterrupted emergency response, personnel from Station 3 have been temporarily reassigned to HBF’s four remaining fire stations as well as mitigated all communication issues.

Humboldt Bay Fire is committed to maintaining the high level of service our community expects and deserves. HBF is working closely with partners, including Eureka Police and Fire Dispatch and Pacific Gas & Electrical (PG&E), to assess the damage, restore utilities, and safely return the station to full operation as quickly as possible.

As a safety reminder during these ongoing winter storms, residents are urged to stay clear of downed power lines and report them immediately by calling 911 for emergency response. Humboldt Bay Fire appreciates the community’s understanding and support during this time.

We wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season. For more information, contact:

Humboldt Bay Fire
533 C Street, Eureka, CA 95501
Phone: (707) 441-4000
Email: Infor@hbfire.org
Website: www.hbfire.org