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STORM UPDATE: Flash Flood Warning issued for Tuolumne Co. due to potential dam failure

It also moved eastward, bringing the threat of flooding to the San Joaquin Valley and Sierra Nevada, where winter storm warnings for new snow were in effect on the second day of spring.

Storm Update 6:30 p.m.

Flooded roads from high water in creeks and streams is making travel through the foothills dangerous through early Friday.

Mudslides and debris flows are also possible until 11p.m. due to heavy rain all day Thursday on top of the rain that started earlier this week. A Flash Flood Watch is in effect.

Be prepared for rapidly changing conditions traveling to the Sierra. Snow level will be dropping to near 4,000 feet overnight.

Update 5 p.m.

A Flash Flood Warning has been issued for parts of Tuolumne County due to a potential dam failure of the Moccasin Reservoir Damn, according to the Tuolumne County Sheriff's Office. It was previously stated to be an "imminent" damn failure by the National Weather Service.

Flood waters will be contained by the Don Pedro Reservoir 1 mile downstream of the dam. The flash flooding area is limited to Mocassin Creek between the dam and the reservoir.

The following locations are expected to be impacted:

  • Highway 49
  • Highway 120
  • Moccasin Creek to Don Pedro Reservoir
  • Moccasin Fish Hatchery

Update 12:30 p.m.:

The National Weather Service provided the latest information on the March 21 tornado in Yuba County.

Update Noon:

Parts of Sacramento are starting to experience flooding.

Storm Update 10:30 a.m.

Rain showers will continue in the forecast during the day Thursday. There's also a threat for more isolated to widely scattered thunderstorms this afternoon into this evening. Any storms that do develop will have the possibility to produce a brief tornado along with some hail.

Snow showers for the Sierra will remain in the forecast, as well. A Winter Storm Warning for areas above 6500 ft remains in effect until 5am Friday. Those areas could pick up an additional 8-16" of snowfall. Chain controls and possible road closures are expected.

Update 8:30 a.m.

A Flood Advisory has been issued until 11 a.m. for portions of the Sacramento area. A line of heavy rainfall could lead to urban and small stream flooding.

SACRAMENTO — Although the first wave of a worrisome Pacific storm hasn't caused any major problems in California, forecasters say the worst is still to come, leaving authorities and disaster-weary residents on edge.

Record rain fell Wednesday in parts of Southern California where thousands of people have been evacuated because of the threat of debris flows and mudslides from wildfire burn areas. It also moved eastward, bringing the threat of flooding to the San Joaquin Valley and Sierra Nevada, where winter storm warnings for new snow were in effect on the second day of spring.

Valley rain will switch to thunderstorms later this morning and heavy snow arrives in the Sierra. Today will be a soggy, wet day with steady rain in the morning and some thunderstorms later today. These storms could have gusty winds, small hail, heavy rain, lightning and a very small chance for a tornado.

For the Sierra, we could see nearly two feet of snow over the mountain passes.

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