The weather in Northwest California is often tranquil, compared to the rest of the country. But from November to April we can receive copious amounts of rain. Some areas of Northwest California see in excess of 100 inches of rain during this time. Average Annual precipitation across Northwest California varies from 80 to 120 inches in portions of Del Norte county and the King Range to 30 to 40 inches in the coastal plains and the valleys in southern Mendocino county. This abundance of rain can lead to frequent flooding events. 

The Eureka office is responsible for issuing flood warnings and statements, in conjunction with the California Department of Water Resources and the California-Nevada River Forecast Center in Sacramento for the seven major rivers which meander across the region. They include the: Smith, Klamath, Trinity, Redwood Creek, Mad, Eel,  Van Duzen and the Russian.  We also issue flood advisories and warnings for smaller rivers such as the Mattole, Garcia, Navarro and Noyo.

North of California, the river forecast responsibility falls on the Northwest River Forecast Center. That office is responsible for flood forecasting on the rivers north of the Klamath River Basin in southern Oregon.

Remember that these links may not always be current and as such should not be relied upon as the primary source of acquiring flood or river information. Also note that the following graphs contain references to Monitor Stage and Flood Stage. The definitions of these and other terms can be found on Weather Explanations page.

Hydrologic Statements - for rivers, streams and creeks.
• River Bulletins - issued when a river reaches or exceeds Monitor stage.
• Flood Warnings - issued when a river first reaches or exceeds Flood stage.
• Flood Statements - advisory statements or follow-up statements on flooding.
• Flood Potential Outlooks - issued for possible river flooding beyond 24 hours.

Coastal Flooding - flooding of normally dry coastal areas due to tides or waves.
• Coastal Flood Statements

California-Nevada River Forecast Center's products
• Hydro-Meteorological discussions - (text)
• Significant River Flood Outlook - (graphic)
• North Coast Rivers bulletin - (text)
• Navarro, Russian and Napa Rivers bulletin - (text)

Observed River Stage Graphics (latest hour and previous 2 hours)
• North Coast Rivers
• Navarro, Russian & Napa Rivers
• Shasta Lake and Upper Sacramento River
• Upper Klamath

Tabular Bulletin (updated every hour ~20 minutes after the hour)
• River Stages - every hour for the last 6 hours

Hydrographs
• Observed and Forecast Graphical Plots of River Levels

Tabular Automated Rain Gauge Reports
• 1 hour,2 ,3 ,6 ,12 and 24 hours (All River Basins)

Observed Rainfall Graphics (latest hour, last 6 hours and last 24 hours)
• North Coast Basins
• Russian & Napa Basins
• Shasta - Sacramento Valley
• Upper Klamath
• All of Northern & Central California

Quantative Rain Forecasts (provided by the HPC & the CNRFC)
• Latest point forecasts every six hours through 24 hours | Alternate (text)
• 3-day melt-level and rain forecasts   |   Alternate  (text)
• CNRFC QPF Day 1 through Day 3 (graphics)
• HPC QPF Day 1 through Day 5 (graphics)
• Numerical Computer Model Guidance (graphics)

• Del Norte | Humboldt | Mendocino | Trinity
• The American Red Cross
• Federal Emergency Management Agency