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RICHGREENE—DAILYNEWS Rain began falling in Red Bluff around 3p.m. Wednesday a ernoon. RED BLUFF (AP) » A power- ful storm expected to pack hurricane-force winds and heavy rain triggered emer- gency preparations across Northern California on Wednesday, with residents gathering sand bags, crews clearing storm drains and Tehama County school offi- cials canceling classes. The National Weather Service issued a High Wind Warning for North Central California through 2 p.m. Thursday. Winds were expected to 30 to 40 mph from the southeast with gusts up to 65 mph. The strongest winds are expected Thursday morn- ing with possible power outages, downed trees and potential property damage. Rain began falling in Red Bluff around 3 p.m. Wednes- day. The valley area is fore- casted to receive one to five inches of rain. The foot- hills could receive two to five inches, the mountains could get three to eight inches and one to two feet of snow could fall in areas above 6,000 feet. A Flood Warning was issued for the Sacramento River from above the Bend Bridge to below the Red Bluff Diversion Dam and at the Tehama Bridge. "It's a short amount of time for that amount of wa- ter," Weather Service fore- caster Diana Henderson said. "We are anticipating some localized flooding, maybe some downed trees and downed power lines. It could have an effect on a wide range of people." Tehama County resi- dents are still recovering from flooding on Dec. 3. The county has made self assessment forms available online at tehamaso.org and co.tehama.ca.us for those affected by the flooding. The storm is expected to be one of the windiest and rainiest in five years and could also cause de- bris slides, especially in ar- eas affected by this year's intense and widespread wildfires. In California's agricul- tural heartland, farmers were looking forward to the dousing after three con- secutive dry years. Parts of the state have experienced above-average rainfall this year, but not enough to make much of a dent in the drought. James McFarlane, a third-generation farmer in Fresno County, said work- ers would have to stop pick- ing citrus crops during the storm, but rain this time of year makes fruit bigger, allowing it to fetch higher prices. "If we're not getting some Mother Nature-dictated time off out in the field, that probably means we're going to have a hard time finding surface water in the warmer months," he said. The rain and the snow in the Sierra Nevada fills res- ervoirs that supply irriga- tion water during hot, dry months. DailyNewsReporterRich Greene contributed to this report. NORCAL STORM COUNTYBRACESFOR WIND AND FLOODING By Andre Byik abyik@redbluffdailynews.com @andrebyik on Twitter The Tehama County Department of Education announced that many schools will be closed to- day because of a severe storm that moved over the county Wednesday. Schools in the Corning Elementary School Dis- trict, which includes Maywood, Olive View, Ran- cho Tehama, West Street and Woodson schools, will be closed Thursday. Corning High School also will be closed Thurs- day. Schools in the Los Molinos Unified School Dis- trict, which includes Los Molinos High School, Los Molinos Elementary School and Vina Ele- mentary School, will be closed Thursday. Elkins School, Flournoy School, Gerber School, Kirkwood School, Lassen View School, Reeds Creek School and Richfield School will be closed Thursday. Schools in the Red Bluff Union Elementary School District, which include Bidwell, Jackson Heights, Metteer and Vista Preparatory Academy, will be open today, according to posting on the district's website Wednesday evening. Parents are advised to check the website — TEHAMA COUNTY Many schools closed today RedBluffinstitutions expected to be open Staff reports RED BLUFF » As a severe storm pelts the North State, Mendocino National For- est officials said Wednesday that the Lake Red Bluff Rec- reation Area will be closed until noon Friday because of anticipated flooding. Forest officials said in a press release issued Wednes- day that the Chico Resource Conservation Center also will be closed until 7 a.m. Friday. "In both areas, officials are concerned about high winds and the potential for falling trees, limbs and for dead branches to be dis- lodged," according to the release. John Exline, acting super- visor for the Mendocino Na- tional Forest, in the release, said public safety is the pri- mary concern. "Given the current fore- cast, this is the best way for us to protect our visitors un- til we are able to assess the situation after the storm and take needed measures to provide as safe a trip as possible," Exline said. People planning to visit the forest also should be cautious on roadways and be prepared for changing conditions, fallen trees and high winds. Officials also ask forest visitors to be cautious as winter weather returns to the area. "While this wet weather is a welcome relief, it also presents some challenges for those who enjoy the Men- docino National Forest from late fall through spring," Ex- line said. "Changing condi- tions can present hazards to both visitors and forest re- sources." For more information, call contact Mendocino National Forest officials at 530-934-3316. You can also visit fs.usda.gov/men- docino. MENDOCINO NATIONAL FOREST Lake Red Bluff rec area closed until Friday Officials anticipate flooding from storm By Andre Byik abyik@redbluffdailynews.com @andrebyik on Twitter CORNING » Construction of the second phase of the Corning Community Park on Houghton Av- enue is nearing completion, and the City Coun- cil on Tuesday accepted a notice of "substantial completion" of the project. The second phase of the park, known as Len- nox Fields, includes two soccer fields, a parking lot, restrooms, a concession stand and a foot- bridge connecting Lennox Fields to the park on Toomes Avenue. The roughly $1 million price tag for the Lennox Fields project has largely been funded through a state grant. An opening date for Lennox Fields has not yet been set by the city. CityCouncilmeetingtime The City Council also adopted an ordinance CORNING Lennox Fields approaching completion City Council accepts a notice of 'substantial completion' of park Sports.............. B1 Life...................A4 Comics ............B3 Community.....A3 Opinion............A6 A + E ................A5 Index............... ## INDEX State of Jefferson supporters are chartering a bus to watch delivery of declarations from four counties. PAGEA3 COMMUNITY Jefferson supporters chartering bus Merle Haggard is scheduled to perform a concert in Redding Sunday at the Redding Civic Auditorium. PAGE A5 CONCERT Merle Haggard to perform Sunday Top spies past and present campaign to discredit the Senate's investigation of CIA practices a er 9/11. PAGE B4 'ONE-SIDED STUDY' CIA fights back a er Senate torture report A $1.1trillion spending bill drew objections from liberals and conservatives in Congress on Wednesday. PAGE B5 $1.1 TRILLION Liberals, conservatives complain about bill "I t' s a s ho rt a mo un t o f t im e f o r t ha t amount of water. We are anticipating some localized flooding, maybe some downed trees and downed power lines. It could have an effect on a wide range of people." — D ia na H en de rs on , w ea th er s er vi ce f or ec as te r "W hi le t hi s w et w ea th er i s a w el co me re li ef , i t a ls o presents some challenges for those who enjoy the Mendocino National Forest from late fall through spring. Changing conditions can present hazards to both visitors and forest resources." — John Exline, acting supervisor for the Mendocino National Forest LENNOX » PAGE 7 SCHOOLS » PAGE 7 » redbluffdailynews.com Thursday, December 11, 2014 50CENTS AN EDITION OF THE CHICO ENTERPRISE-RECORD 7 58551 69001 9 Volume130,issue15 Good morning, thanks for subscribing » Douglas Daniels BASKETBALL Lady Spartans roll by LP Sports » B1 SYMPHONY Holiday concert set for Saturday A+E » A5 FORECAST High: 57 Low: 46 » B8 FollowtheDailyNews on Twitter to keep pace with breaking news and events @REDBLUFFNEWS FOLLOWUS ONTWITTER