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A Northern California river flooded 2,000 homes, businesses and other buildings and left two communities virtual islands after days of stormy weather, officials said Wednesday.
The towns of Guerneville and Monte Rio were hardest hit by water pouring from the Russian River, which topped 46 feet on Wednesday, said Briana Khan, a Sonoma County spokeswoman.
The river frequently floods in rainy weather but it hadn’t reached that level for 25 years and wasn’t expected to recede again until late Thursday night.
About 3,500 people in two dozen communities along the river remained under evacuation orders.
Jeff Bridges didn’t leave even though he said the water was 8 feet deep in some places. The co-owner of the R3 Hotel in Guerneville, said he and others who stayed behind were well-prepared to ride out the storm. He and employees moved computers, business records and furniture to second-floor room.
