With winter in full swing, rainfall is nearly double what it was last year at this time, and the San Lorenzo Valley has received more than half of its annual average.
As of Jan. 3, close to 28 inches of rain had fallen on Felton this winter. The average annual rainfall in town is 50.38 inches, according to Cal Fire records.
Large trees fell in Felton, Ben Lomond and Boulder Creek and close to 7 inches of rain saturated the ground between Christmas and New Year’s Day in the valley.
The most significant incidents included a tree about 4 feet in diameter that fell across Highway 9 just south of Felton early on Jan. 2. It crushed a shed next to a home, and no one was injured. It took 10 hours before Caltrans crews were able to fully move the massive tree from the roadway.
In Ben Lomond, a large tree fell across Highway 9 near Scenic Way at about 5 p.m. Jan. 2, tearing down power lines and stopping traffic. The road reopened early Monday morning after crews cleared the road.
The National Weather Service forecasts a clear weekend with temperatures in the high 50s and low 60s, with a slight chance of rain Monday, Jan. 12, and Tuesday, Jan. 11.
Sand bags available
Valley Churches United Missions in Ben Lomond, 9430 Love Creek Road, has sand bags available for local residents.
For information: 336-8258.
