Flash Flood Watch, 2/9/17

***Flash Flood Watch***

A Flash Flood Watch has been issued for all of Santa Cruz County, Santa Lucia Mountains, and Los Padres National Forest until 7AM Friday.

A period of moderate to locally heavy rain is expected along the coastal ranges of the Central Coast on Thursday as a strong cold front pushes inland. The combination of saturated soils and recent heavy rainfall will result in excessive runoff into area streams and rivers as well as localized flash flooding. Additional rainfall amounts of 2 to 3 inches are forecast in these areas through Thursday night.

The primary impacts will be localized ponding of water on low lying roadways with poor drainage, rapid rises on streams and creeks with some likely exceeding bankfull, some river flooding and potential rock and mud slides. Recent burn scars will also be susceptible to debris flows during periods of intense rainfall.

Travel may become very difficult at times. Some roadways may be flooded or impassable. Never drive into unknown depths of water! Turn around, don`t drown.

A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that lead to flash flooding. Flash flooding is a very dangerous situation. You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should Flash Flood Warnings be issued.