"Santa Cruz County Braces for 7-Inch Weekend Deluge"

A weekend storm is expected to bring heavy rains to Santa Cruz County, with up to 4.5 inches in lower elevations and possibly over 7 inches in the Santa Cruz Mountains from Saturday afternoon to Monday afternoon. Wind gusts could reach 30-40 mph in lower elevations and up to 74 mph in the mountains, with potential for flooding in major waterways. The National Weather Service has issued a high wind warning and flood watch, and residents in flood-prone areas can fill sandbags at designated locations. The wet start to the El Niño year aligns with historical trends of increased precipitation in the Central Coast and Bay Area during El Niño years.