"Felt Like an Earthquake": Sonoma County Battles Aftermath of Devastating Storms
The storm that ravaged the North Bay region of California has left a trail of destruction in its wake, with residents still reeling from the impact. The Russian River, which runs through the heart of Sonoma County, has been particularly hard hit, with trees toppled and roads washed away.
For Mark Weiss, owner of Raymond's Bakery in Cazadero, the storm was a disaster. A 300-foot tall old growth redwood tree came crashing down during the rain, destroying his outdoor dining area and part of the kitchen. "It felt like an earthquake and explosion," Weiss recalled. The giant tree destroyed a significant portion of his business, leaving him with a long and costly road to recovery.
The damage extends beyond individual properties, however. Near Monte Rio, a chunk of Highway 116 fell into the Russian River during heavy rain, causing traffic to be reduced to one lane. Caltrans and the fire department warn that the washout could grow as runoff flows downhill, posing a significant risk to drivers.
Chief Steve Baxman from the Monte Rio Fire Department explained the situation, "What happened - we went down with a boat, underneath is an eddy it cuts through, just sucking away at the bottom -it's going to keep sliding." The waterway has become a hazard, with residents advised to exercise caution when traveling in the area.
In addition to the physical damage, concerns over raw sewage have also been raised. A spill occurred after the river overflowed at a sewage treatment plant in Guerneville, prompting water testing and sampling. While initial results indicate that the water is safe, officials are taking precautions to ensure public health.
Caltrans estimates that repairs on the washed-out portion of Highway 116 could take up to a year. For residents like Weiss, the road to recovery will be long and arduous. "We'll probably have to jackhammer the foundation, pour a new one, reframe the wall," he said. The full extent of the damage is still coming into view, but one thing is clear: Sonoma County will need time and resources to rebuild and recover from this devastating storm.
The storm that ravaged the North Bay region of California has left a trail of destruction in its wake, with residents still reeling from the impact. The Russian River, which runs through the heart of Sonoma County, has been particularly hard hit, with trees toppled and roads washed away.
For Mark Weiss, owner of Raymond's Bakery in Cazadero, the storm was a disaster. A 300-foot tall old growth redwood tree came crashing down during the rain, destroying his outdoor dining area and part of the kitchen. "It felt like an earthquake and explosion," Weiss recalled. The giant tree destroyed a significant portion of his business, leaving him with a long and costly road to recovery.
The damage extends beyond individual properties, however. Near Monte Rio, a chunk of Highway 116 fell into the Russian River during heavy rain, causing traffic to be reduced to one lane. Caltrans and the fire department warn that the washout could grow as runoff flows downhill, posing a significant risk to drivers.
Chief Steve Baxman from the Monte Rio Fire Department explained the situation, "What happened - we went down with a boat, underneath is an eddy it cuts through, just sucking away at the bottom -it's going to keep sliding." The waterway has become a hazard, with residents advised to exercise caution when traveling in the area.
In addition to the physical damage, concerns over raw sewage have also been raised. A spill occurred after the river overflowed at a sewage treatment plant in Guerneville, prompting water testing and sampling. While initial results indicate that the water is safe, officials are taking precautions to ensure public health.
Caltrans estimates that repairs on the washed-out portion of Highway 116 could take up to a year. For residents like Weiss, the road to recovery will be long and arduous. "We'll probably have to jackhammer the foundation, pour a new one, reframe the wall," he said. The full extent of the damage is still coming into view, but one thing is clear: Sonoma County will need time and resources to rebuild and recover from this devastating storm.
. A 300-foot tall tree just came crashing down on Raymond's Bakery and destroyed the whole outdoor dining area... like, what even is that? 
The scale of the destruction is mind-boggling, especially considering the impact it has on local businesses like Weiss' who are already struggling to stay afloat.
. I can only imagine how frustrating and scary it must be to navigate that one-lane section of Highway 116, especially with all the warning signs saying there's still more damage downstream.
. You'd think that would be a no-brainer for authorities to take seriously, but I guess you never know until it happens. The fact that they're taking precautions and testing the water just to be safe is great, but at the same time, it's also super worrying.
. It's heartbreaking to see such a beautiful area ravaged by Mother Nature's fury.
they've been hit hard by these storms and it's gonna take a while to recover. the thought of that highway washout is insane, and the sewage spill is no joke too. i feel bad for mark weiss and his bakery, 300ft old growth tree just destroyed his outdoor area 
and the repairs are estimated to take up to a year... that's a looong time to be out of business. gotta send some support their way 
gotta make sure everything is thoroughly tested before public health is at risk. 1 year for repairs sounds like an eternity - hope the community comes together to support each other during this tough time 
and saw the most stunning geysers... it's crazy how nature can be so destructive and yet so beautiful at the same time 
, but have you ever noticed how some restaurants just get away with serving overpriced soups that are literally just a bunch of veggies in broth 
?
. One lane traffic is already a nightmare, and now they're warning about it getting worse? What if someone gets hurt or their car slips off the road?! So stressful 
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. I hope everyone stays safe and gets the help they need 
. This whole thing is just so overwhelming 
I feel bad for all the residents who have to deal with this aftermath, especially when there's concerns about raw sewage getting into the water 
I mean, who needs a functioning kitchen or dining area when you've got a giant redwood tree crashing down on you? 
Mark Weiss is definitely living his best life right about now. And can we talk about the state of our infrastructure for a second? 300-foot tall trees just casually falling into roads and causing traffic jams? 
This disaster is like the perfect storm (pun intended) of lack of infrastructure planning and preparedness in California. I mean, come on, how can we expect residents to recover when basic roads and sewage systems are so vulnerable? It's not just a matter of repairing some trees or roads, it's about addressing systemic weaknesses that have been ignored for too long.
the thought of those poor bakers & business owners struggling to keep their livelihoods after something as simple as a tree falls on them 
the russian river has been through so much already. the good news is the community is coming together to support each other during this tough time 
. Anyways, I'm just glad that no one was seriously hurt by the storm... fingers crossed that everyone can bounce back from this 
. And omg, raw sewage in the river 
. The thought of having to jackhammer the foundation of Raymond's Bakery is just devastating 
!
And now Raymond's Bakery has a giant redwood tree for a new outdoor dining area? 
In all seriousness though, the damage is pretty extensive and Caltrans needs to get their act together ASAP! 
. And Highway 116? That's like, a major road for our school field trips... what if we got stuck there? 
... let's just hope everyone stays safe and healthy until the repairs are done 
. Raw sewage is a big deal too 