On November 19, Humboldt County and nearby areas in the Pacific Northwest were affected by an atmospheric river intensified by a bomb cyclone. The severe weather event has resulted in heavy rainfall and strong winds, prompting flood and wind warnings from the National Weather Service.
The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services is urging residents to prepare for ongoing storm impacts. Regional power outages, fallen trees, and minor road disruptions have been reported. These conditions are being monitored closely with local agencies. The Humboldt County Emergency Operations Center is providing public information and assessing the situation.
According to the National Weather Service, more wind and rain are expected in the coming days, increasing flood risks. Residents are advised to avoid river flow areas due to rising water levels.
An Evacuation Order has been issued for several zones: HUM-E105-B, HUM-E101-A, HUM-E106-B, and HUM-E110-A. Residents in these areas should evacuate immediately. An Evacuation Warning is also in place for additional zones including HUM-E101-B and ARC-E001-B among others. Residents should be ready to evacuate if conditions worsen.
An Evacuation Center has been established at Fortuna Firemen’s Pavilion by the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services in collaboration with other local organizations. It will open today at 4 p.m.
Humboldt County residents are encouraged to know their evacuation zone as adjustments may occur during emergencies. Zones can be checked at protect.genasys.com.
Flood safety tips include avoiding walking or driving through floodwaters and staying off bridges over fast-moving water. Contact with floodwater should be minimized due to potential contaminants such as untreated sewage.
Additional rain could lead to downed trees, flooding in low-lying areas, power outages, and road blockages. For preparedness tips visit humboldtgov.org/prepare.
Residents encountering downed power lines should report them immediately by calling 9-1-1 followed by PG&E at 1-800-743-5002 while maintaining a safe distance of at least 35 feet from the line.
Signing up for Humboldt Alert is recommended for receiving emergency notifications about evacuations or sheltering needs during disasters via humboldtgov.org/alert.
For updates on storm response efforts visit humboldtgov.org/emergency or follow @HumCoOES on social media platforms Facebook and X or call 707-268-2500.
