Redding spared from flooding for now as storm brings rain, snow to parched California

A winter storm is pounding most of Northern California but Redding Fire Department officials said threats of flooding within city limits has been "surprisingly minimal."

"We were preparing for the worst," Redding Fire Battalion Chief Mike Sawyer said. "Usually when we get this much rain, we do have quite a few calls for service related to the weather."

Sawyer said there's been minimal issues with rain near creeks around Redding and city storm drains have held up.

"We were prepared to put in extra engines to handle any type of flooding," Sawyer said. "But fortunately that didn't happen and things have been quiet."

Redding has received more rain than usual in December.

The National Weather Service said Redding received 8.1 inches of rain through Friday for the month of December.

Redding's average rainfall for the month is 6.3 inches, according to Weather Service meteorologist Hannah Chandler-Cooley.

A flood watch is in effect for the Sacramento Valley until 4 a.m. Sunday, The National Weather Service in Sacramento is forecasting a sunny New Year's Day before rain returns on Monday morning.

Another strong storm is expected to hit Redding from Wednesday to Thursday. It could dump 1-2 inches of rain, Chandler-Cooley said.

More rain is needed as California continues to deal with a drought that has lasted three years, which were the dries on record.

"It would take multiple types of these storms to fully pull us out of the drought," Chandler-Cooley said.

Elsewhere in the North State, the atmospheric river soaking California prompted road closures and traffic delays:

Mudslide causes delays on Highway 299 in Trinity County

Motorists traveling to Humboldt County should expect delays after a mudslide occurred on Highway 299 between Burnt Ranch and Hawkins Bar, California Department of Transportation District 2 officials said.

The mudslide is causing a 30-minute delay and one lane has been opened for travelers, according to Caltrans.

Officials haven't said when both lanes will be reopened.

Highway 96 reopens near Happy Camp after rock slide

Highway 96 has opened about 4 miles west of Happy Camp following a rock slide.

This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: Redding gets above average rainfall in December 2022