Thursday, December 11, 2014

"Monster" Storm

All week, the newspapers, the radio and the TV have been telling us that a monster storm was coming our way.  This storm is a blend of two systems; one is the pineapple express which is fairly common and brings heavy rain from Hawaii via the Pacific Ocean.  In this case, an extra strong pineapple express (the kind that comes around every 6-8 years) joined forces with a high wind system and started throwing all that rain, with all its windy might, at Northern California.  This morning, 50,000 people lost power in the San Francisco Bay area and wave after wave of power outtages followed the storm, through Napa and Sonoma (where a university campus was closed due to flooding - in the middle of finals week) to Sacramento and then up into the Sierras.  We had wind and light rain this morning.  Just before 2:00 in the afternoon, the deluge began.  Knock on wood, we still have power.

There are tree branches scattered across the property as expected and water is filling the streams to the top of their banks and then crossing under our road into a larger stream as it continues its journey downhill.  The goats are safe and warm in their side of the run-in and Pistol is standing on her side.


That picture was, obviously, taken on a drier day.  The rest of the horses are in the barn where they have each other and Passage for company.  She patrols the aisle and the hay stacks -- good barn cat that she is.

The donkeys are staying in their run in shed as well.  We got two eggs today, from chickens who hardly left the dry safety of their hen house.

The heavy rain will continue over night and then lessen a bit, but continue, through tomorrow.

10 comments:

  1. I think ours started around 3 pm today, TONS of rain yesterday, but very little today, just very strong winds. Whoohoo!!

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  2. Glad you are getting so much rain, and I hope the damage is minimal!

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  3. hoping you all keep power without any trouble.

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  4. We are feeling the wind here south of San Luis Obispo. It's coming from every direction like we haven't seen in years. Tucked our two donkeys in at dusk with extra hay and pine shavings. Have rain gear, shovels and flashlights and are ready for a long night.

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  5. Thanks for the update. Hope things settle down quickly with NO FLOODING.

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  6. Oof, sounds rough, I hope all the reservoirs are filled without too much damage elsewhere.
    Now I must contact my sis and make sure they're all ok :-o

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  7. Be safe I am thinking about you. HUG B

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  8. I have been thinking of you. Sounds like it is all under control. Thank goodness!

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  9. Annette, I wondered about you all day and finally thought to check the blog. So glad you are all safe! Praying for your safety!

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  10. I know you two are prepared and will do the right thing if those kind of moments come up! Hoping to hear a good report when this blows over! xoxo

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Thanks so much for commenting!