“This is just the beginning” says Weather.com. The rain and heavy wind that is slamming northern California this morning is just the beginning of a 2 to almost 3-day event that will not only impact California but eventually the interior West too.

A soaking rain is saturating northern and central California and there will be no let up for several hours. Rain totals will really begin to add up and present various problems for the region; some directly, some indirectly.  Mudslides will be a major concern along the west coast.

Flooding will also be a major problem and already is a problem for parts of northern California.

There is an abundance of moisture associated with this Pacific storm and that will lead to plain ol’ heavy rain over urban areas too.

Urban flooding may become an issue later today as the rain totals increase and streets just can’t simply handle the amount of water anymore.

Some local roadways will collect water and ponding will begin. Roads will become either impassable or blocked by local authorities for safety precautions.

Accompanying the rain story is the wind story.  Gusts are already reaching close to 100km/h.