Heavy rains in California caused an engorged Russian River to overflow, swamping thousands of homes and businesses in Guerneville and Sebastopol.
Located in Northern California, the two wine-country communities were only accessible by boat as floodwaters peaked at a high of 46 feet last night, Wednesday, Feb. 27. Residents were seen using canoes, surfboards and other means to wade through the dangerous flood levels as officials and neighboring communities helped. Monte Rio, a nearby town, also became isolated when roads leading to it were swamped, reports AP.
While the Russian River often floods in rainy weather, it had not reached this level in 25 years, said Sonoma County spokeswoman Briana Khan. Several additional rivers in Northern California were also engorged after days of stormy weather dumped heavy snow in the Sierra Nevada, throughout the Pacific Northwest and into Montana. Steve Bullock, governor of Montana, even issued an emergency order to aid the supply of heating fuel as temperatures turned frigid.
Although no injuries were reported in the Guerneville area, about 3,500 people in two dozen river communities remained under evacuation orders, reports AP. Floodwaters are expected to fully recede by later today, Thursday, Feb. 28.
