San Benito County seems to have escaped the worst of Wednesday’s storm without any serious issues.
“To this point in time, we’re faring pretty well,” said Bryan Lasota, emergency services specialist with the San Benito County Office of Emergency Services, before noon Wednesday. “It looks like some of the predictions have started to be downgraded a little as far as expectations for our area.”
San Benito County is part of the region with flash-flood and high-wind watches in effect today, with what’s called an atmospheric river system making its way over the area. Lasota noted how most of the major impacts have been to the north in the Bay Area.
“We’re kind of getting the trail end of it,” he said.
Still, local emergency responders and officials are ready to take action if needed, especially being just two years removed from the major flooding that occurred in 2017 that caused havoc in San Benito County.
“We’ve been watching things like the Pacheco Creek,” said Lasota, noting how it’s now out of flood stages.
He said there had been some “nuisance flooding” and some trees down, but nothing major as of midday Wednesday. He said locals should continue to drive carefully and be prepared for such outcomes as power outages.
“We’re continue to monitor from our end,” he said.
The following is the National Weather Service forecast for the Hollister area:
This Afternoon
Rain. High near 62. Windy, with a southeast wind 30 to 32 mph, with gusts as high as 43 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Tonight
Rain likely, with thunderstorms also possible after 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. Breezy, with a southeast wind 22 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 32 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Thursday
Rain likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 10am, then showers likely after 10am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 60. Windy, with a southeast wind 14 to 19 mph becoming west southwest 25 to 30 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 39 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Thursday Night
A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. South southwest wind around 8 mph. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Friday
A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 54. Breezy, with a west southwest wind 11 to 16 mph increasing to 19 to 24 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 31 mph. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Friday Night
A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Saturday
A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 54.
Saturday Night
A chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 40.
Sunday
A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 52.
Sunday Night
A chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 34.
Washington’s Birthday
Sunny, with a high near 56.
Monday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 34.
Tuesday
Sunny, with a high near 56.
