Updated: Flash Flood Watch Expires, but Rains Continue

A large boulder loosened by the heavy rains that have pounded the area today rolled down to southbound Highway 17 near Summit Road causing a long traffic jam at about 3 p.m., according to the California Highway Patrol.

Caltrans officials removed the boulder which came to rest on the highway, said CHP officer Steve Griefer. "We have no current closures at this time," Griefer said. "The rain loosened it and it got displaced from the hillside."

In the meantime, town officials are urging residents and business owners worried about flooding to pick up sandbags at the Parks and Public Works Department, at 41 Miles Ave., in the wake of a series of storms that have soaked the area. 

Although the town doesn't have residents living in low-lying areas, Parks and Public Works Director Todd Capurso was still worried about flash flooding in some sections of town and trees going down due to rain-saturated soil.

He said he was particularly concerned about runoff in the hillsides and overwhelmed catch basins and storm drains rushing down roads.

"It's really about staying safe. Don't drive through water. If you see standing water report it to the town," Capurso said. "We'll get out there and clear it the best we can."

In many cases, Capurso said, so-called culverts or large storm drains, get clogged with trash or leaf material that needs to be cleared.

The supply of sandbags will be replenished on a daily basis, sometimes more than once a day, Capurso said.

Public works employees, headed by Capurso, are inspecting and other areas for problem spots.

Near Los Gatos Creek, a 300-foot low section of the , located by Charter Oaks Drive and Lark Avenue, is three feet under water, Capurso said, explaining that the Santa Clara Valley Water District is releasing water from Lexington Dam to accommodate the extra rainfall being received from this week's series of storms. 

"They really want to have Lexington to be a position to catch most of it and not have it go through the spillway," he said.

Once water goes over the spillway, "there's nothing anybody can do to slow it down."

When Lexington gets released, it causes Vasona Dam to be at capacity with water going over its gates, Capurso explained. "It's not life or property threatening," he assured, but public works officials are asking those who use the trail to avoid the flooded section by using Charter Oaks Drive and get back on the trail where there's no inundation.

On Thursday, the National Weather Service was warning area residents about yet another round of storms.

Meteorologist Austin Cross said the new system wouldn’t be as severe as the storm that brought hail and funnel clouds to the Bay Area last week, but that he expects rain and strong winds today.

"There's a possibility of some thunderstorms, but nothing that extreme," Cross said.

Winds of up to 40 mph are possible, especially in the North Bay coastal hills and in the Santa Cruz Mountains, he said.

Another storm system is expected to arrive Friday night, bringing more rain and wind, he added.

Showers will likely taper off by Sunday.

Cross said he doesn't expect to see severe flooding from the approaching storms but that small creeks and streams could overflow.

A flash-flood watch was in effect for parts of the Bay Area Wednesday, as well as a high-wind advisory for local bridges. Both have expired.

Cross said at the Vasona Pump Station, a total of 1.15 inches of rain had been reported in the last 24 hours. In areas like Ben Lomond, a total of 2.42 inches of rain were reported in the last 24 hours.

Bay City News contributed to this report