SISKIYOU COUNTY, Calif. – Whether it was rain or snow, moisture continued to pound Northern California from before Christmas 2005 through New Year’s Day 2006.

On Dec. 29, Siskiyou County officials declared a “flood disaster.” A cold spell last Thursday slowed flooding as local rivers crested after several days of heavy rain; and it also stopped raining. But it was just a lull before another pounding.

By Thursday night, the winds were blowing and rain began to pour once more, with the National Weather Service in Medford calling for three to four more inches of rain or snow through Monday.

Snow levels were expected to fluctuate between 4,000 and 5,500 feet above sea level. Temperatures were expected to be a bit lower than the Pineapple Express storms that hit before Christmas.

Siskiyou County Chief Administrator, Howard Moody, held meetings with sheriff’s Lt. John Villani, who is in charge of Siskiyou County Emergency Services and other agencies last week. They designed evacuation plans and set up staging areas coordinating volunteer fire departments, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, California Highway Patrol, Siskiyou County Public Works, CalTrans and the Red Cross.

In Happy Camp and Etna, sandbags could be obtained at the Siskiyou County Road Yards and in Seiad Valley at the fire department.

“Just bring your pickup and load up what you need,” said Administrator Moody.

In Scott Valley, Kidder Creek began flooding the surrounding flat land in the Island Road big slough area before Christmas. As flood waters continued to rise, ranchers were busy moving livestock to higher ground.

Scott River began to flood at the Quartz Valley Road Bridge on Dec. 29. Most of the creeks did not crest into flooding last week, but with continued rain over the weekend, flooding was expected to follow.

Residents are encouraged to be prepared for emergency situations. Anyone with an emergency should call the sheriff’s emergency number at 530-841-2911.

The last major flood to hit the area was on Jan. 1, 1997.

Because of the New Year’s Eve holiday falling on the weekend, the Pioneer Press went to press on Friday and so the extent of the flooding will be reported next week.