Clear Lake flooded the roadway at the corner of E and Esplanade streets in Lakeport, Calif., on Tuesday, March 22, 2011. Photo by Sharon Thornton.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County got a brief break from the rain on Tuesday, but with the winter storms ramping back up and as the lake gets closer to flood stage, local officials have urged community members to be prepared.

Clear Lake was at 8.63 feet Rumsey just before midnight Tuesday, with the Cache Creek Dam releasing at 3,350 cubic feet per second.

Lake County Water Resources predicted Tuesday that the lake would be at flood stage, or 9 feet Rumsey, by Thursday morning and could hit 9.4 feet Rumsey by Sunday.

With rains and rising lake levels, the National Weather Service in Sacramento issued a flood watch for southern Lake County, which is in effect through late Thursday night, along with winter weather and wind advisories for Lake County.

Forecasters are predicting two strong storms will hit the interior of Northern California over the next two days, with the first bringing moderate to heavy rain and strong winds into Wednesday, with a second storm bringing another round of moderate to heavy rains and stronger winds on Thursday, according to the advisories.

The Lake County Office of Emergency Services issued a public advisory warning of a potentially severe weather event over the next three to four days due to the storm systems moving through the area, with the potential to drop 2 to 4 inches of rain.

Intermittent thunderstorms also are expected to pass through the county, officials reported.

The National Weather Service's wind watch warns of strong southerly winds of between 20 and 30 miles per hour, and gusts up to 45 miles per hour. The watch is in effect until 5 p.m. Wednesday.

The city of Lakeport on Tuesday issued the following list of areas that could experience flooding, including: Martin Street from Main to Starr streets; Main Street to Martin, C and 10th streets; Forbes Street at Sixth, Ninth, 10th and 11th streets; Armstrong Street between Brush and Starr streets; Russell Street between First and Second streets; Spur Street between Berry and Sixth streets; High Street north of 17th Street; Lakeshore Boulevard between Rainbow Road and Giselman Street; North Street at 10th Street; 10th Street between Forbes and Manzanita streets; First Street between Russell and Starr streets; Brush Street between Armstrong and First streets; 16th Street between Mellor Drive and Hartley Street; and Esplanade. Low-lying areas near Clear Lake will also be affected by the rising waters and wave action.

If flooding does occur, Lakeport city crews will install barricades. Barricaded roadways are not passable and are to be avoided. The city's report said barricades are placed in order to prohibit vehicles from entering high water areas, and drivers are advised that Lakeport Police may cite non-authorized vehicles found driving past barricades. Cars traveling through high water in these barricaded areas can stall out and also cause property damage by creating waves.

City officials said that in order to protect Library Park, aqua dams – expected to arrive on Thursday – had been ordered.

They also had closed the Library Park playground, with the entrance to the main walkway adjacent to the shoreline in Library Park set to be barricaded in the interest of public safety. The walkway, because of the high water, wave action and debris, is closed to the public and is to be avoided. The public is urged to stay out of this area in order to remain safe.

Clear Lake was going over the sea wall at Library Park in Lakeport, Calif., on Tuesday, March 22, 2011, in the wake of heavy rains. Photo by Sharon Thornton.

Flood related problems in the City of Lakeport can be reported to the Lakeport Public Works Department during regular working hours by calling 707-263-0751. Emergency situations, or after hour problems, should be reported to the Lakeport Police Department at 707-263-5491.

During this weather event, the Office of Emergency Services strongly urges the public to avoid any unnecessary travel. As winds and rain increase starting late Wednesday or early Thursday, road surfaces may become hazardous and adverse conditions could limit visibility.

Those who must drive are advised to use extreme caution, the agency said. Speeds should be lowered and distances between vehicles should be increased as appropriate. Motorists are encouraged to be equipped with flares, flashlights, a cell phone, a first aid kit, boots and other extra clothing if they must travel.

With the soil already saturated from previous rains, mud and rock slides are likely and high winds may result in falling trees and power outages. If generator power becomes necessary, the Office of Emergency Services urges homeowners to first contact Pacific Gas & Electric before starting up as utilizing generators can re-energize power lines and potentially cause serious injury or death to responders and utility workers.

Officials said residents in low-lying or flood prone areas who will need sand bags and sand should obtain them now.

Both sand and sandbags are available at Mendo Mill, 2465 S. Main St., Lakeport, 707-263-8400; Kelseyville Lumber, 3505 Merritt Road, Kelseyville, 707-279-4298 (the store expects a new shipment of 10,000 empty sand bags to arrive on Wednesday); and the city of Clearlake corporation yard, located at Old Highway 53 and Airport Road.

Sandbags only can be picked up at Rainbow Agricultural Services, 1975 County Road 524, Lakeport, 707-279-0550; Lake Builders Supply, 3694 E. Highway20, Nice, 707-274-6607; and Mendo Mill, 5255 Old Highway 53, Clearlake

Sand only can be picked up R.B. Peters, 78 Soda Bay Road, Lakeport, 707-263-3678; Pivniska Trucking, 85 West Highway 20, Upper Lake, 707-275-3203; Layne Paving and Trucking, 3700 Old Highway 53, Clearlake, 707-994-6324; and Clear Lake Lava, 14572 East Highway 20, Clearlake Oaks, 707-998-1115.

The Office of Emergency Service offers the following public safety tips for severe storms or other adverse weather conditions:

• Standing water on roadways can cause a vehicle to hydroplane and a loss of the vehicle’s brake system. Decrease your speed and maintain awareness of your surroundings while driving.

• Dress appropriately with head and hands covered when going outdoors in temperatures below freezing.

• Bring pets inside and provide shelter for farm animals.

• Have an emergency household supply kit, including nonperishable foods and drinking water stored in bottles or other containers in case water or other utility services are interrupted.

• Ensure flashlights and battery-powered radios are in good working order and have an ample supply of batteries on hand. Candles and other open-flame light sources are not recommended.

• If there is a power outage, do not call 911. Use a customer service number for information.

Important numbers to keep on hand are published below.

• Sheriff’s dispatch, nonemergency: 707-263-2690.

• Clearlake Police Department: 707-994-8251.

• Lakeport Police Department: 707-263-5491.

• Lakeport Public Works Department: 707-263-0751.

• PG&E: 800-743-5000.

• ATT: 611 or 866-346-1168.

• American Red Cross Emergency: 800-696-3873; Local office: 707-263-8451.

Additional disaster resource information can be found in the local yellow pages of the phone book.

Follow Lake County News on Twitter at http://twitter.com/LakeCoNews, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-County-News/143156775604?ref=mf and on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/LakeCoNews.

The city of Lakeport closed the playground at Library Park in Lakeport, Calif., on Tuesday, March 22, 2011, due to the stormy conditions. Photo by Sharon Thornton.