More heavy rain and wind in the North State forecast

Another storm is expected to bring 3 to 4 inches of rain, strong winds and possible flooding to the North State Wednesday and Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.

The heaviest rain is expected Wednesday, bringing flooding in urban areas and in rivers and creeks. Winds are expected to reach 45 to 50 mph in the Redding area, creating difficult driving conditions and power outages in some areas, the weather service said.

The snow level is expected to drop down to about 2,000 feet in the foothills, bringing 1 to 4 inches of snow below 5,000 feet. The higher elevations could receive 5 to 9 inches of snow, the weather service said in an advisory sent out Monday.

From Dec. 26 to Jan. 2, a little more than 5 inches of rain fell at the Redding Regional Airport, according to the weather service.

After three years of drought, the North State is still trying to catch up to normal rain and snowfall levels. Only 16.92 inches of rain fell in Redding in 2022, compared to a normal annual rainfall of 33.52 inches.

The rainfall shortage also hit Siskiyou County, where 17 inches of rain fell in Mount Shasta, compared to the annual average of 37.62 inches. In Montague, 5.63 inches of rain was recorded there, while the normal was 12 inches.

In anticipation of the storms expected this week in Shasta County, the sheriff's office sent out a notice advising residents of numerous locations around the county where sandbags are available.

The Bella Vista Fire Station, 2202 Highway 299 in Bella Vista; sand is on the west side of the fire station and bags are inside the station. Call 530-225-2418.

Burney Fire District, 20509 Shasta St. at the Burney sheriff's substation; sand pile is northwest of the substation and bags are next to the garage.

City of Redding, in the vacant lot north of Big League Dreams, 20155 Viking Way and at Fire Station No. 4, 2605 South Bonnyview Road.

City of Anderson, across from the City Corporation Yard on Barney St. (Bring your own shovel).

French Gulch Fire Station, 14363 Cline Gulch Road in French Gulch; sand pile is on the east side of the driveway, not blocking any engines or bays. Bags are inside fire station. Call 530-225-2418.

Palo Cedro Fire Station, 9418 Deschutes Road Cedro; sand pile is at the edge of driveway at far west end of the parking lot by the garage. Bags are in the fire station. Call 530-225-2418.

Shingletown Volunteer Fire Station, 32249 Highway 44; sand pile is in the parking lot and sandbags are in the fire station. Call l530-225-2418.

West Redding, Cal Fire Shasta Trinity Unit Station No. 58, 16064 Homestake Road, Redding; sand pile is at the east end of the facility, past all the buildings. Bags are next to the sand. Call 530-225-2418.