As we say goodbye to autumnal weather and welcome the chilling of December, our beloved Santa Cruz Mountains echo with the songs of birds, dance in the blusterous wind, and turn misty in the riveting winter downpours. The brilliantly colored scenery and earthly aromas of the dampened Redwood forests lure in adventurous rain-hikers, photographers, and foragers to soak up the beauty of awakening nature. Enjoying and utilizing the last of these drizzly moments, people prepare for the pluvial winter ahead. Earlier in the season we glimpsed this winter’s forecast as torrential rains, ferocious winds, and multi-day power outages that stunned SLV communities. This first week of December already surpassed December 2018’s rainfall reports of 3.5 inches by almost double at 6.3 inches. Rainfall recorded so far in the 2019 calendar year totals to 56 inches, while 2018 totals were 31 inches of rainfall. October through December of last year accumulated about 10 inches of rain; October through December of this year accumulated a little over 9 inches, with a tremendous storm still on the horizon. However, common rainfall this time of year has varied over the past five years as California experienced its driest and highest temperatures in 2015 and one of the highest rainy seasons reflecting El Niño weather patterns in 2016 and early 2019.
Though experts say the 2019-2020 rainy season will not surpass the record 2018-2019 El Niño-patterned rains, SLV residents burst with rightful concern of a frightful winter due to earlier power outages, gale warnings, and rain-caused damages. Locals endured the closure and flooding of Hwy 9 and various roads caused by debris-clogged drains. Traffic swelled as mudslides and rockslides temporarily blocked sections of Hwy 236 and Bear Creek Road. Power line damages and power outages occurred across the valley from toppling trees. In Boulder Creek, a rain-soaked tree collapsed onto Irwin Way South Bridge, fragmenting a section of the railing. Extreme winds tore tree branches, scattered property, and frightened locals and their pets. However, a steady silver-lining continues to shine through these trying winter months: our community. The Santa Cruz Mountains’ residents have a uniquely strong bond, supporting the needs of the whole community. The use of local-based social media pages such as Facebook and Nextdoor alert and advise members of road closures, power outages, community-related announcements, lost pets, and more. These sites are especially helpful in these wintry months as members post local ads for gutter cleaning services, chimney cleaning services, firewood locations, and seasonal tips: cover items to prevent rain damage, park cars away from trees to avoid fallen branches, clean out street and roof gutters and chimneys, check roof stability, secure any leaky doors and windows, and invest in proper attire such as rain boots, waterproof jackets and hand-warmers. Frantic residents posting in need of items, information, or even immediate help are answered and embraced by their neighbors. Our community grows stronger and unified in these hazardous months, leaning on each other for comfort and support. Strangers united by nature’s tests are the building blocks for an extraordinary community. Rain on!
