As predicted, heavy rains caused many creeks to swell beyond their banks over the weekend. Flooded areas of Shasta County included Shasta View Drive, South Bonnyview, Spring Gulch, Olinda, Canyon Road and other areas of Happy Valley, as well as Winegar Road and other areas off Old 44, Boyle Road, Highway 299 East and many areas around Bella Vista, Deschutes Road, much of the Westwood Village Shopping Center and Westwood Manor Subdivision in South Redding, Meadowview and other areas of Churn Creek Bottom, Airport Road, several streets here in the Alta Mesa neighborhood, and countless other roads. The Sheriff’s Office closed several roads Sunday, including Old 44 and Boyle Road. Anderson Police closed Fairgrounds Drive, Third Street, South Street and Emily Drive. Officials say just a few inches of water can wash a car away and drivers should never proceed through water if they don’t know how deep it is.
In Palo Cedro Sunday night the driver of a Ford pickup tried to drive down Brundage Road off Deschutes and ended up sinking. The occupants apparently included a toddler and an infant. They had to be carried onto the roof of the truck before being rescued.
Rising waters stranded a man on an island in the middle of Clear Creek Sunday morning. Redding Police responded along with Cal-Fire and the Sheriff’s Swift Water Rescue Team. The man was about 150 yards downstream of the Highway 273 bridge over Clear Creek south of Girvan Road. He apparently had been staying in a tent that became swamped with the rapidly rising creek level. The team used ropes, rescue lines and watercraft to retrieve the man and bring him safely to shore. He did not need medical attention.
-Steve Gibson