Westbound Hwy. 37 closed as flooding snarls North Bay commute

Showers and runoff from the four-day storm hanging over the North Bay closed a major east-west commuter route in one direction Friday morning, stalling many motorists.|

Showers and runoff from the four-day storm hanging over the North Bay led to another round of road and school closures Friday morning, with a major east-west commuter route completely shut in one direction, stalling many motorists.

In Marin County, all westbound lanes on Highway 37 between Atherton Avenue and Highway 101 were closed as of 7 a.m. Friday morning, the California Highway Patrol reported. Eastbound lanes are still open.

Dispatchers reported major backups on Highway 37 heading west, with cars idling in stalled traffic all the way to Blackpoint Bridge and the Petaluma River.

To help expedite traffic control, officers in Marin are on Atherton Avenue monitoring the situation, said Andrew Barclay of Marin CHP.

About 24 roads in low-lying flood areas including Guerneville, Forestville and along Valley Ford were partially or fully closed due to ongoing flooding, according to a county list of road delays.

Three school districts - Dunham Elementary, Monte Rio and Guerneville - will be closed Friday, the Sonoma County Office of Education reported.

For travel to the Sierra Nevada, both Interstate 80 and 50 are closed due to heavy snow and poor visibility.

Rain is expected to linger through the weekend in the North Bay with the worst part of the storm over, the National Weather Service reported. Heavy showers are expected Friday night, but the storm is expected to exit by Saturday afternoon.

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