This is all happening down the road from us. But luckily we are opposite the dam. We know folks that live down there along the river, very nice area. Don’t think there is any danger of the town flooding, at least at this time, although it has happened that downtown flooded. 20 years ago we faced a similar situation when the dam crested at a foot below the top. The rains were the same—huge storms. We are soggy, very soggy, but since our property is a gentle slope we are fine. Walking down to the barn today to work was a chore. Rained about two inches this afternoon. Will be happy when the skies clear Saturday and the ground begins to dry out a bit.
But that is the way it is here. Rain for say three or four days then dry for a bit, then rinse and repeat.
It’s gorgeous here and the population is not what you would find down in the Bay Area. Many folks used to live down there in that rat hole before discovering this place. We are a solid Red county, say for the students at Chico State. What’cha going to do? Kids gotta be kids...
If we are under water, we will let you know...blub, blub,blub..
Stay safe, abigkahuna. The dam itself probably won’t fail, but they’ve got to let that water out and the only place to put it is into the river. Along with concrete, boulders, trees and assorted other goodies that wash away as the regular spillway breaks apart (which is what it looks like the dam people are going to allow). That makes for some nasty compressed water headed downstream.