Farmers, duck hunters happy about rain

The pops of shotguns could be heard off in the distance, and there were no complaints to be heard from duck hunters about the turn in the weather.

"We have been waiting for this storm since the season opened," an almost cheery Conrad Begley said as he dried one of his two dogs in the back of his pickup during a break in the storm Friday.

It was short-lived break, though Scout and Colt — two young labs - did not seem to care any more than their master.

Nor were there likely too many complaints from farmers, who were facing possible reductions in water allocations if the winter rains did not come to the valley.

Some did wonder why the state was releasing water out of Lake Shasta so early, arguing there is plenty of space to store these storm waters and still be able to release later if it proved to be a particularly wet weather.

That question still goes unanswered at the National Weather Service.

Indicators are that the valley could get plenty of water through the springtime, but those indicators, forecasters said, are too weak to say for certain.

State officials will be watching the Sacramento River closer as the storm that washed into the area Wednesday continues to soak the valley through the weekend.

While flows were still moderately low, around 42 feet Friday morning, officials reported that the river could rise to nearly 66 feet, several feet above flood monitoring levels, but still below the 70-foot flood stage at the Colusa bridge.

The National Weather Service reported the storms are feeding off of tropical moisture from the Pacific, and will continue to impact Northern California and the Pacific Northwest for several more days.

Stormy weather with gusty winds are forecast, with rainfall totals of 10-20 inches possible, along with several feet of snow in the Sierra Nevada.

"As long as we don't get it all at once, we will be OK," Acting City Manager Randy Dunn said Thursday. Forecasters predict some clearing with partly sunny skies on Monday, before rain begins later that night through Tuesday.

Whether the rain is needed or not, it has had its down side.

Some local business owners had to sandbag around their back doors to keep water out, and pedestrians trying to cross flooded streets also found the wet weather inconvenient.

"It was rushing in under the back door," said Nancy Newlin, owner of Colusa Legal Support Services on Market Street. "It is a problem with the alley."

In fact, several businesses in the area took water, and Newlin said she was pleased with the reaction from the city to come out and help.

Mike Farraiuolo, who has been working 37 years for the city of Colusa, has seen a lot of storms come and go, and more than a few floods.

He was out clearing drains and gutters of leaves at 3:30 a.m. on Friday trying to keep the street flooding to a minimum.

Sand and bags are available at the Colusa fire station. Shovels also are available, but anyone needing them will have to fill their own sandbags.

Various weather warnings have been issued for valley areas, and flooding of those rural roads that typically see it, are expected around Colusa County.