■ CHP spox: Be prepared; Public Works on alert, director says

The National Weather Service has issued severe weather warnings for Benicia for Thursday and Friday, and California Highway Patrol has issued its own advisory in anticipation of what is being anticipated as “a major storm.”

Daniel Hill, spokesperson from the CHP Golden Gate Division, said the Weather Service has warned Benicia and other Bay Area cities that the severe storm could bring high winds and flash floods in low areas.

Meanwhile, Wednesday is expected to be foggy, continuing into the night, the Weather Service said. Rain probability is 60 percent Wednesday, particularly after 4 p.m., rising to 80 percent tonight.

Showers are virtually guaranteed Thursday, possibly accompanied by thunderstorms. Friday also is likely to be wet and possibly stormy.

“Heavy rainfall is expected throughout the Bay Area, especially in the North Bay,” Hill said. “The volume of rainfall is expected to overwhelm waterways and roadway drainage systems, leading to flash flooding.”

Winds of 20-40 mph are expected, Hill said, but gusts could range from 40-60 mph.

“All eyes are still focused on (the) major storm system that will move through the region Wednesday night into Friday,” a Weather Service description said.

The Weather Service said the worst of the storm may arrive Wednesday night, and by Thursday, 1-3 inches of rain may fall in valley areas, 2-5 inches in the foothills and 3-8 inches in the mountains, with locally higher amounts expected should thunderstorms form. Snow levels, above the 6,000-7,000 foot level Wednesday, will drop to 5,000 feet by Friday, with 1 or 2 feet of snow expected near peaks.

The storm could compromise motor traffic, Hill said.

Area interstates and highways often flood near roadway edges, especially on elevated roadways with walls on both sides; he said drivers should avoid the outside lanes, “especially at night.”

Motorists should never drive through standing water, he said. “You never know how deep the water is, and what may be lurking beneath the surface.”

Even more important to traffic safety in severe weather is slowing down, Hill said.

“Slower speeds prevent hydroplaning, which often leads to crashes,” he said. In addition, “Extra following distance will also help if someone crashes ahead.”

He said windshield wipers and headlights should be used together during rainstorms. “Whenever your windshield wipers are on, your headlights should be as well. Often, vehicles are not visible without head and tail lights,” he said.

Car owners have a little time to get ready before the storm’s expected arrival late Wednesday or early Thursday, but Hill said they shouldn’t wait.

“Prepare your vehicle now,” he said, providing a basic to-do list for operators to follow.

“Replace windshield wipers if necessary. Check your brakes and your fluids,” he said. “The worst time to break down is during heavy weather. Towing services are usually overwhelmed with collisions, and response times are delayed.”

During those times, the CHP response time also may be delayed because of the high volume of calls, he said.

Those who experience an emergency while driving should call 9-1-1 from their mobile telephones, and if they’re involved in a minor collision they should pull off the roadway as soon as possible so other vehicles don’t collide with them, Hill said.

The city of Benicia is providing sand and sandbags at the city’s Corporation Yard, 2400 East Second St., and at the East E Street parking lot across from Benicia Yacht Club, Public Works Director Graham Wadsworth said.

Those needing sand bags should bring shovels and be ready to load the bags themselves. Information guides on loading the bags are available from the Public Works page on the city’s website, http://www.ci.benicia.ca.us. The department’s page can be reached through the main page’s “City Departments” menu bar.

Residents have been asked to keep streets and gutters free of leaves and debris that could clog storm drains, because street sweeping equipment isn’t designed to pick up large quantities of leaves.

According to a Benicia Public Works advisory, if a person sees water pooling around a storm drain on a street that shows signs of flooding, and if it is safe to do so, that person could use a rake to remove leaves and debris from the drain so the water can flow freely.

Public Works crews also will respond to calls for assistance, which can be made at 707-746-4296 during business hours or 707-745-3412 after 4:30 p.m. However, the crews may be delayed if rains are heavy, the advisory said.

“In terms of areas of the city prone to flooding, people should avoid low-elevation streets near the Carquinez Strait, such as B Street and East Second near E Street,” Wadsworth said Tuesday. “Public Works maintenance crews will place ‘Flooded’ signs on barricades in flood-prone areas.”

Caltrans will post current road conditions on its website (www.dot.ca.gov/cgi-bin/roads.cgi) and the CHP will describe traffic incidents on its website (cad.chp.ca.gov).

Benicia will post emergency information on its website under “Public Announcements.”

Rainy conditions are expected to continue through Friday night.