There’s a “Food Watch” in effect through Friday night. | Graphic: Eureka NWS


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Enjoy this sunshine while you can, Humboldt! We’re in for another round of wind and rain tonight.

Last night’s windstorm knocked out power for thousands of folks across the county, but, as far as we can tell, didn’t leave much damage behind. Pretty remarkable given that the National Weather Service recorded a wind gust of 109 mph (!!!) at Cape Mendocino last night, and gusts between 70 and 84 mph throughout the King Range.

As of this writing, 800-plus Southern Humboldt residents are still without power near Miranda, Petrolia and Whitethorn due to reported storm damage. PG&E crews are either en route or already working on repairs. You can find updates here.

Screenshot of PG&E’s Outage Map.

The NWS has issued another “High Wind Watch” for Humboldt, Del Norte and Mendocino counties tonight. Our friends down in SoHum can expect southeast winds between 25 and 35 mph, with gusts up to 85 mph possible. It should be a little calmer up north around Humboldt Bay.

“Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines,” the NWS warns. “Widespread power outages are possible. Travel could be difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles. Wind gusts will be particularly strong along windward ridges and exposed coastal headlands. There is an increased risk of tree branches and other debris on roadways.”

Rain is expected to return to the region around 8 p.m. There’s a “Flood Advisory” in effect for low-lying, flood-prone areas around Humboldt Bay, and a “Flood Watch” is in place for the rest of the county til 10 p.m. Friday. 

“Additional rounds of heavy rain expected through Friday night,” according to NWS. “An additional 3-6, locally up to 9 inches of total rain is possible through Friday. There will be breaks in the heavy precipitation, but heavy rain falling on already saturated ground will promote flooding impacts.”

As always, you’ll want to be a little extra cautious out there and avoid driving through flooded roads. Highway 36 is closed at Carlotta due to flooding, with no estimated time of reopening. [UPDATE, 12:07 p.m.: Open again!] Several county roads remain closed due to flood damage. 

Stay safe out there, Humboldt!

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UPDATE, 3 p.m.: The Humboldt County Department of Public Works shares the following update on county roads:

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
  • 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.
  • Hookton Rd and Eel River Dr intersection closed due to 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
  • 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.