California residents urged to leave home ahead of storm Counties ripe for worst flooding in years, forecasters say Saturday, December 31, 2005; Posted: 9:55 a.m. EST (14:55 GMT) SAN FRANCISCO, California (AP) -- A powerful storm plowed through Northern California on Saturday, causing mudslides and widespread flooding and snarling holiday traffic from Sonoma to Monterey. Evacuations were encouraged along the Napa River and hillside homeowners were urged to collect valuables, gather emergency supplies and identify escape routes. Nearly all small creeks and streams in Sonoma County had overflowed their banks, closing some roads. Firefighters in the Sonoma area rescued two...