Storm issues close roads around county (w/video)

Morning commuters mostly had an easier time of it Friday than Thursday, but continued rains were still causing scattered problems throughout Sonoma County.

Pooled water at the southbound off-ramp of Highway 101 at Old Redwood Highway in north Petaluma closed that ramp, causing traffic to continue to East Washington and back up all the way to Rohnert Park by 10 a.m.

'The morning commute was just like yesterday, pretty light,' said CHP spokesman Jon Sloat. 'It' not too heavy except for now with the backup down south.'

He said there were very few collisions, although several rural roads were still partially flooded or covered in storm debris.

'There is still a lot of water, but most of the roadways that are flooded are pretty much open,' he said.

A driver was briefly stuck on top of his car near Occidental Road and Sanford Road west of Santa Rosa before 8 a.m.

Most roads to the coast were flooded at some point, Sloat said.

Countywide, 43 roads were closed due to storm-related causes – water or debris. Check road closures here.

Monte Rio Fire Chief Steve Baxman said the west county fared well overnight and Friday morning, with few calls.

'Everyone out here is used to high water,' he said. 'We ran our butts off yesterday, but it's been quiet since last night.'

In Mendocino County, Highway 128 was closed 11 miles east of Highway 1 due to flooding with no reopening time estimated.

The Lake County CHP said all highways were open, although Seigler Canyon Road remained flooded since Thursday.