Flooding Forces Multiple Road Closures Across Humboldt County

The County of Humboldt Public Works Roads Division posted a road conditions update on December 24 and revised it on December 26 after crews assessed flooding and closures across the county. The advisory listed a series of flooded roads including Howard Heights, Cannibal Island Road near the Eel River, Graham Road, Zanes Road, Berta Road, Old Arcata Road between Graham Road and Jacoby Creek Road, Fernbridge Drive northbound lane, Ambrosini Lane, Rose Avenue, Port Kenyon Road, Waddington Road on the Grizzly Bluff side, Goble between Dillon Road and Nissen Road, and Nissen Road from Goble Lane to the end, which was closed.

The update also named roads that were closed because of flooding or emergency operations. Hall Avenue was closed for Redwood Acres emergency staging. Hookton Road and Eel River Drive were closed, and Mad River Road was reported closed at post mile 2.75 near Tye City. Camp Weott at Dillon was closed, Coffee Creek was closed between post mile 1.00 and 1.25, Meridian Road was closed between post mile 0.5 and 0.9, Goble Lane was closed from Sage Road to Fulmor Road, and Dillon Road was listed among closures.

Local impacts were immediate. The Hall Avenue closure to support emergency staging at Redwood Acres affected access to the fairgrounds and nearby neighborhoods, while closures along river corridor roads including Cannibal Island Road, Hookton Road and Eel River Drive constrained routes used by residents and first responders. The closure of Mad River Road at Tye City and multiple rural road shutdowns limited access for deliveries, school transportation and agricultural traffic in affected communities.

The county advised motorists to "Drive Safely" and said road conditions would be updated as crews continued assessments. Drivers are encouraged to check the County of Humboldt Public Works Roads Division updates before travel and to avoid flooded roads and closed segments to protect personal safety and allow emergency crews to operate. County crews remained on site through December 26 to monitor rising waters and clear obstructions, and residents in low lying areas were urged to remain alert to further advisories.