UPDATE, 2:39 p.m. Press release from the Humboldt County Office of Emergency Services:

Humboldt County residents are encouraged to prepare now for a winter storm system forecasted to impact the county beginning this afternoon.

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for interior Humboldt County and a Winter Storm Watch for communities along the coast beginning Tuesday, February 21 at 1 p.m. through Thursday, Feb. 23. Heavy snow is expected for communities above 1,000 feet, with total snow accumulations of 6 to 18 inches.

Communities along the coast may experience hail, sleet, and even snow during this storm. Additionally, temperatures are expected to drop into the teens and 20s Friday and Saturday mornings.

PREPARE FOR STORM IMPACTS

Strong wind, hail and heavy snow are expected to create hazardous travel conditions particularly Wednesday and Thursday. Community members are urged to use extreme caution while traveling this week, especially on higher elevation routes such as Highways 299 and 36. If you must travel, create an emergency supply kit for your car. Include jumper cables, sand, a flashlight, warm clothes, blankets, bottled water and non-perishable snacks. Keep the gas tank full.

Power outages may occur as a result of this storm. Gather supplies in case you need to stay home for several days without power. Keep in mind each person’s specific needs, including medication. Remember the needs of your pets. Have extra batteries for radios and flashlights. If utilizing a generator for power, always operate the generator outdoors and at least 20 feet away from windows, doors and attached garages to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Never heat your home with a gas stovetop or oven. 

WARMING CENTERS AND SHELTERING RESOURCES

Central Humboldt

  • Eureka Rescue Mission: Overnight sheltering, dinner and showers
    • Men - 110 Second Street, Eureka.  Arrive between 5:30-6 p.m.
    • Women- 102 Second Street, Eureka.  Arrive at 6:30 p.m.
  • Betty Kwan Chinn Day Center: Overnight sheltering, dinner and showers
    • Call before 4 p.m., 707-407-3833 or visit the Day Center at 133 Seventh Street, Eureka.
Southern Humboldt
  • SoHum Housing Opportunities (SHO) Warming Recharge/Warming Center
    • Tuesday, February 21: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. at Redway First Baptist Church (1055 Redway Drive, Redway)
    • February 22-24 (Wed. - Fri.): 1 - 4 p.m. at Mateel Community Center (59 Rusk Lane, Redway)
  • Redwood Rural Health Centers (RRHC) Extreme Winter Weather Shelter
    • Call to check capacity: 707-923-2783, ext. 1361)
Northern Humboldt
  • Lower Trinity River Prescribed Burn Association Warming Center
    • February 22-23 (Wed.-Thur.) 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. at 111 Mayfair Street, Willow Creek
    • The Heights Casino Warming Center
    • February 22-24 (Wed.-Fri.) 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the Heights Bingo Hall 27, Scenic Drive, Trinidad
STAY INFORMED

Residents are encouraged to monitor the National Weather Service for updated forecast information and always check conditions prior to traveling: https://www.weather.gov/eka/

Sign up for Humboldt Alert to receive emergency alerts and information from Humboldt County: humboldtgov.org/alerts
For updated information from Humboldt County OES, please go to humboldtsheriff.org/emergency and visit @HumCoOES on Facebook and Twitter.\

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Who’s ready for a “prolonged period of stormy weather”?

That’s what Mother Nature has in store for us, according to the trusty crew at the National Weather Service’s Eureka office. Sounds like a slow build to a crescendo of truly nasty weather, with wind and light rain becoming gusts of up to 45 miles per hour this afternoon and evening.

From there, brace for rain, hail and snow. A winter storm warning has been issued for the inland region:

On Monday morning the National Weather Service urged locals to plan on “significant impacts to travel” across the region, from coastal communities across the Coastal Range inland.

“Heavy low elevation snow as well as numerous coastal hail showers will occur Tuesday afternoon through Thursday afternoon,” the NWS warned.

If you plan on traveling over the next few days, follow the advice in the tweet above and make sure to first check current road conditions on the Caltrans QuickMap.