trane_fanatic Posted January 4, 2008 Report Share Posted January 4, 2008 The fence across the street from my house blew down last night and there are lines (phone, power) hanging down on my block. http://www.sfgate.com/flat/archive/2008/01.../MN87U9ERT.html Winds, rain wreak havoc - ferries, Golden Gate Transit buses halted Marisa Lagos, Rachel Gordon, Peter Fimrite,Steve Rubenstein, Chronicle Staff Writers Friday, January 4, 2008 (01-04) 07:44 PST SAN FRANCISCO -- (01-04) 12:19 PST SAN FRANCISCO - Golden Gate Transit suspended bus and ferry service, the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge was closed and power was knocked out to hundreds of thousands of people today as a dangerous storm blew into the Bay Area. Getting around the region today is a major challenge. The Golden Gate Highway, Bridge and Transportation District suspended all bus service just after 9 a.m. because of flooding in central San Rafael and on Highway 101, where many of the lines operate, and a spokeswoman said she did not know when the buses would be running again. Highway 101 was closed in both directions in San Rafael where it intersects with Interstate 580 after construction debris flew onto the freeway, and the California Highway Patrol said it would not reopen until at least 10 p.m. tonight. Golden Gate Transit ferry service was suspended because of winds on the bay gusting over 70 mph, and other ferry lines said their boats would remain in port as well. Numerous flights were delayed or canceled at San Francisco International Airport. BART service in San Francisco was disrupted after two trains hit downed tree branches, and the Municipal Railway halted electronic trolley service on Market Street after a tree fell on a power line. The California Highway Patrol closed the eastbound Richmond-San Rafael Bridge after a gust of wind blew over an 18-wheel truck around 8:30 a.m. A short time later, the CHP also closed the bridge to westbound traffic. The MacArthur Tunnel approach to the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco was closed because of flooding, and the Great Highway was shut down by high winds. Highway 9 in the Santa Cruz Mountains was closed in Felton, and northbound Highway 17 was closed at the summit because of a downed power line. The southbound direction of the highway, the main road between San Jose and Santa Cruz, was still open. As much as 8 inches of rain have fallen in the past 24 hours in some parts of the Bay Area, and many cities have seen more than an inch, the National Weather Service said. "The real strong wind gusts are the other big story," said weather service forecaster Charles Bell. "Los Gatos has been blowing like crazy, gusting at almost 80 mph at one point. ... Today seems like one of those days when if you can stay home, it's recommended." Around 11:30 a.m., weather service forecaster Steve Anderson said the heavier rain was beginning to taper off in the North Bay. The tail end of the system- which is moving through the Bay Area in a southeasterly direction - will be passing through San Francisco around noon, he said, then continue to trail off in the southern portions of the region. "The winds are decreasing as the front comes through," he said. "Currently the cold front is located right over the city of Napa ... and the winds behind the cold front are decreasing." The nasty conditions forced officials to cancel service on the Alameda Bay Harbor Ferry this morning, which runs from Alameda to San Francisco, as well as the Alameda/Oakland Ferry to and from San Francisco. Officials also canceled several runs on the Vallejo Baylink Ferry, and are unsure whether they will be able to resume service for the later runs. Golden Gate Transit spokeswoman Mary Currie said she did not know whether the agency would be able to restore bus or ferry service for the afternoon commute. BART also reported problems after two trains traveling in opposite directions struck a downed tree branches on the tracks between the Balboa and Glen Park stations in San Francisco around 10:30 a.m. BART officials were trying to set up a bus bridge between the two stations and provide a transportation for those heading to the San Francisco International Airport, all made more difficult by weather-related traffic delays on local roadways. Officials have no guess as to when the tracks will reopen, spokesman Linton Johnson said. Trains in the rest of the BART system are still running, but at reduced speeds. Muni halted trolley service on Market Street after a tree fell on power lines at 11th Street, knocking out electricity to the overhead lines as well as homes and businesses in the neighborhood. Hundreds of thousands of people have lost power since the storm hit early today, and the Peninsula has been hit particularly hard, Pacific Gas and Electric Co. said. As of 11:30 a.m., 518,000 customers were without power in the region, including 119,000 in San Mateo County. "We expect some customers to remain without power tonight and into tomorrow," PG&E spokesman David Eisenhauer said. "There is a lot of work still to do." PG&E has a toll-free number for people to report outages - (800) 743-5002. Among the locations in the dark was the Serramonte Shopping Center in Daly City. Chris Wong, supervisor of the Starbucks at the center, was sitting inside the dark cafe along with three employees, sipping iced tea. "We're just waiting this out," he said. "This is usually our peak period." On the Golden Gate Bridge, strong winds forced officials to turn the two center lanes into buffers between northbound and southbound traffic, Currie said. Traffic in Marin County was at a standstill because of the Highway 101 closure and other accidents. The county's Office of Emergency Services is working to help respond to various problems, including trees that fell into houses in Mill Valley, Fairfax and Inverness. Authorities were keeping a close eye on San Anselmo Creek, which caused millions of dollars of damage to downtown San Anselmo when it jumped its banks on New Year's Eve 2005. By mid-morning the creek had risen to 8 feet, up 6 feet from Thursday night but still 3 feet below flood stage. In San Francisco, scaffolding outside a four-story Victorian-style apartment at Washington and Divisadero streets caused a scare this morning when it crashed onto car, but there were no injuries reported. Muni diverted buses off Market and onto Mission streets because of damaged scaffolding at a four-story building at Third Street and Market. The historic streetcar F-line was not running between 11th Street and the Ferry Building. Golden Gate Park was getting hammered, with trees down, branches dangling and roadways beginning to flood. Some of the fallen trees were "heritage trees" that were part of the original planting in the 1860s. Trees were also down in McLaren, Glen and Crocker-Amazon parks. The Great Highway was closed in both directions from Sloat Boulevard to Lincoln Way because of high winds, and O'Shaughnessy Boulevard was shut down from Twin Peaks to Glen Park because of a fallen tree. At Candlestick Point, the parking lots around Monster Park were flooded, roads were closed and the area looked like a lake. At the Department of Public Works service yard on Cesar Chavez Street, staffers had run out of sandbags by mid-morning. At Ocean Beach, gawkers gathered to watch the waves pound the sand and roar all the way up to the sea wall. "Coming from Chicago, I'm used to the wind, but the ocean makes it more exciting," said visitor Helen Whittiker, who was taking photographs of herself and three friends leaning into the wind at a 30-degree angle. Some schools were reportedly without power. At Clarendon Elementary School on Twin Peaks, parents were asked to take their children home. Numerous weather-related accidents were reported. "I would say both ends of the bay (are the worst hit)," CHP Sgt. Les Bishop said. "Marin and down on State Route 17 in the Santa Cruz Mountains as well." Flights were delayed at San Francisco International, where winds were gusting as high as 55 mph. A number of airlines canceled flights Thursday night in anticipation of the storm, and most departures are delayed as much as 45 minutes. Inbound flights are being delayed by as much as two hours. Operations at Oakland and San Jose airports were normal, although flooding on roads leading to the San Jose airport was hampering passenger access. All over the Bay Area, winds were fierce. Gusts of 107 mph were measured on Kregor Peak near Clayton in Contra Costa County, the National Weather Service said. The wind hit 70 mph on the Golden Gate Bridge, 78 mph on Angel Island and 76 mph on Twin Peaks in San Francisco. The storm was the second in a series expected to hit the state through the weekend. The National Weather Service has issued a series of storms warnings, and officials are especially worried about the possibility of urban flooding in low-lying areas. The weather service was also warning people that things could get dicey near Lake Tahoe and throughout the Sierra, where some areas could get as much as 10 feet of snow and winds could top 100 mph. Most ski resorts around Lake Tahoe opted to close today because of the heavy winds, but said they hope to reopen tomorrow with several new feet of snow. Anderson, the forecaster, said snow was already falling at lake level this morning and some areas were getting as much as 3 inches an hour. "The resorts are getting pounded," he said. While the worst of this storm may wind up today, Bell warned that storms will continue to pound the region this weekend. There will be showers on and off all day Saturday, and snow levels will fall to 2,000 or 3,000 feet, meaning flakes may fall on Mount Diablo and even Mount Tamalpais. Then, on Sunday, another storm will move through. That one will be weaker than today's, but could still bring at least another inch of rain, the weather service said. Chronicle staff writers Jill Tucker, John Coté, Anastasia Ustinova, Cecilia M. Vega, Michael Cabanatuan and Phil Matier contributed to this report. E-mail the writers at mlagos@sfchronicle.com, rgordon@sfchronicle.com, pfimrite@sfchronicle.com and srubenstein@sfchronicle.com. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam Posted January 4, 2008 Report Share Posted January 4, 2008 I think we'll be getting this sometime tonight, but still just a drizzle in LA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoGrubb Posted January 4, 2008 Report Share Posted January 4, 2008 (edited) I read in a news headline email that y'all are getting a heck of storm from the north, with 85 mph wind in some places. Some roads going into SF are blocked by debris, even interrupted ferry service going into SF. The article goes on to say that the biggest danger is people driving recklessly, not being careful. Edited January 4, 2008 by MoGrubb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BruceH Posted January 5, 2008 Report Share Posted January 5, 2008 I read in a news headline email that y'all are getting a heck of storm from the north, with 85 mph wind in some places. Some roads going into SF are blocked by debris, even interrupted ferry service going into SF. The article goes on to say that the biggest danger is people driving recklessly, not being careful. That's a danger around here whenever it rains. Many local drivers are complete morons who drive exactly the same in wet conditions as they do in dry. It never fails to amaze me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim McG Posted January 5, 2008 Report Share Posted January 5, 2008 (edited) I read in a news headline email that y'all are getting a heck of storm from the north, with 85 mph wind in some places. Some roads going into SF are blocked by debris, even interrupted ferry service going into SF. The article goes on to say that the biggest danger is people driving recklessly, not being careful. That's a danger around here whenever it rains. Many local drivers are complete morons who drive exactly the same in wet conditions as they do in dry. It never fails to amaze me. Which is why when I visit SF, I take the Muni or BART to get around town. The 280 is a nice way to get back home, too: Fewer idiot drivers. Edited January 5, 2008 by GoodSpeak Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidewinder Posted January 5, 2008 Report Share Posted January 5, 2008 The weather service was also warning people that things could get dicey near Lake Tahoe and throughout the Sierra, where some areas could get as much as 10 feet of snow and winds could top 100 mph. Most ski resorts around Lake Tahoe opted to close today because of the heavy winds, but said they hope to reopen tomorrow with several new feet of snow. I'll bet the Donner Pass area is 'challenging' today ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim McG Posted January 5, 2008 Report Share Posted January 5, 2008 The weather service was also warning people that things could get dicey near Lake Tahoe and throughout the Sierra, where some areas could get as much as 10 feet of snow and winds could top 100 mph. Most ski resorts around Lake Tahoe opted to close today because of the heavy winds, but said they hope to reopen tomorrow with several new feet of snow. I'll bet the Donner Pass area is 'challenging' today ! Closed, most likely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guy Berger Posted January 5, 2008 Report Share Posted January 5, 2008 Boohoo, one weekend of bad weather in northern Carolina. The northeast and midwest are barely habitable for at least three frickin' months a year! Guy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BruceH Posted January 5, 2008 Report Share Posted January 5, 2008 I grew up in New England and I don't ever remember getting winds like this, even when we were supposed to be getting the remnants of a hurricane. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chalupa Posted January 5, 2008 Report Share Posted January 5, 2008 Boohoo, one weekend of bad weather in northern Carolina. The northeast and midwest are barely habitable for at least three frickin' months a year! Guy Word! (psst Guy - the SF Bay is in California not Carolina ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BERIGAN Posted January 5, 2008 Report Share Posted January 5, 2008 (edited) Boohoo, one weekend of bad weather in northern Carolina. The northeast and midwest are barely habitable for at least three frickin' months a year! Guy Word! (psst Guy - the SF Bay is in California not Carolina ) I asked Guy about this, and he said to me, "clearly I had Carolina In My Mind".... Man, the lenths I go for to make a lame joke...... -_- Edited January 5, 2008 by BERIGAN Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BERIGAN Posted January 5, 2008 Report Share Posted January 5, 2008 And anytime there are winds past 150 MPH, that is pretty big news!!!! By Kathryn Reed SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif., Jan 4 (Reuters) - A fierce storm swept through central and northern California on Friday, cutting power to more than 1 million homes and businesses, closing major roads and canceling flights at several airports. The storm may dump as much as 6 to 8 feet (1.8 to 2.5 metres) of snow through the weekend in the higher elevations of the Sierra Nevada, and up to 2 feet (0.6 metre) at the popular tourist spot of Lake Tahoe, forecasters with the U.S. National Weather Service said. Southern California braced for possible flash floods and mudslides in areas that burned in the October wildfires. Total rainfall could reach 5 inches (12.5 cm) in Los Angeles and 10 inches (25 cm) in the mountains of Southern California -- the most significant rainfall in the region since January 2005, and on the heels of the driest year on record. "It is very important, since there is so much land that has burned, that we are prepared for mudslides," Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said after being briefed by the Office of Emergency Services. There have been no reports of deaths or serious injuries, the office said. In San Francisco, winds blew scaffolding off buildings and temporarily shut the main thoroughfare, Market Street, while the landmark Alcatraz Island, the former prison and now national park, was closed to visitors. Big trucks were barred from the Golden Gate Bridge, where winds reached 55 mph (90 kph). The nearby Richmond-San Rafael Bridge, which connects two of the state's major highways, was blocked most of the day by a toppled truck. "There is a lot of rain coming down in the valleys, a lot of snow in the mountains and there is a lot of wind with speeds of 100 miles to 150 miles (160-240 kph) per hour in the Sierra Nevada," Schwarzenegger added. "So please be very cautious." Near Lake Tahoe, home to the state's most popular ski resorts, a stretch of the main road connecting northern California and Nevada was closed down. Many of the resorts were closed on Friday due to the high winds. (Additional reporting by Bernie Woodall and Mary Milliken in Los Angeles and Adam Tanner in San Francisco) http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSN04338208 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazzmoose Posted January 5, 2008 Report Share Posted January 5, 2008 The article goes on to say that the biggest danger is people driving recklessly, not being careful. In SF, this is always the biggest danger... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazzmoose Posted January 5, 2008 Report Share Posted January 5, 2008 The weather service was also warning people that things could get dicey near Lake Tahoe and throughout the Sierra, where some areas could get as much as 10 feet of snow and winds could top 100 mph. Most ski resorts around Lake Tahoe opted to close today because of the heavy winds, but said they hope to reopen tomorrow with several new feet of snow. I'll bet the Donner Pass area is 'challenging' today ! Mmmmmm...cannibalism! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guy Berger Posted January 5, 2008 Report Share Posted January 5, 2008 Boohoo, one weekend of bad weather in northern Carolina. The northeast and midwest are barely habitable for at least three frickin' months a year! Guy Word! (psst Guy - the SF Bay is in California not Carolina ) Anybody want to proofread my posts from now on? Guy ps Though on the plus side this means that San Diego is just a short flight away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim McG Posted January 6, 2008 Report Share Posted January 6, 2008 Boohoo, one weekend of bad weather in northern Carolina. The northeast and midwest are barely habitable for at least three frickin' months a year! Guy Word! (psst Guy - the SF Bay is in California not Carolina ) We are often confused with The Carolinas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoGrubb Posted January 6, 2008 Report Share Posted January 6, 2008 Somebody tell me where northern Carolina is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazzmoose Posted January 6, 2008 Report Share Posted January 6, 2008 Just south of East Virginia, I think... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoGrubb Posted January 6, 2008 Report Share Posted January 6, 2008 Just south of East Virginia, I think... Maybe, and south of ole Virginny. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BruceH Posted January 7, 2008 Report Share Posted January 7, 2008 I know people who STILL don't have their power back... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Wheel Posted January 7, 2008 Report Share Posted January 7, 2008 I know people who STILL don't have their power back... Well, fortunately I'm not one of them. The power did go out as I was standing in the shower, though, and stayed out for at least 10 hours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BFrank Posted January 7, 2008 Report Share Posted January 7, 2008 Got lucky. No power outage. We're usually the first to go out - here in Noe Valley. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Gitin Posted January 7, 2008 Report Share Posted January 7, 2008 Power was out here (Pacific Grove/Monterey area) for two days; no computer, no music, no 'good' breathing at night (CPAP machine for severe apnea requires electricity). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BruceH Posted January 7, 2008 Report Share Posted January 7, 2008 Our power didn't go out at all, thank God, but one of the kids in my son's Boy Scout troop slept over here Saturday night because the power at his family's house was still out and they have electric heat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BFrank Posted January 7, 2008 Report Share Posted January 7, 2008 Saw a LOT of trees/branches down over the weekend. Also a couple of trees that landed on cars. Pretty wild. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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