Wild winter weather pounds California's wine country

FORESTVILLE - Heavy rains continued to cause flooding in towns across northern California's wine country yesterday, with more stormy weather expected today, the National Weather Service said.

One man, DeeWayne Jackson, 63, died when a tree fell on him in a park in Vacaville during the storm, the Solano County Coroner's Office said.

Days of heavy storms swelled rivers and caused flooding and disruption in Napa, the heart of a region renowned for its wines, as well as in other towns north of San Francisco. Major flooding hit Guerneville in Sonoma County, the largest resort town along the Russian River, an area of giant redwood trees where some businesses and homes were under water.

"People are reluctant to leave the river area, so there is concern there, especially if the rains continue," said Jean Alves, a Sonoma County emergency operations spokeswoman.

Officials in Napa, which saw flooding on its streets on Sunday, said the worst had passed and added the Napa River was below flood levels yesterday. The 4000 people who were displaced were allowed back.

Initial reports suggested that the flooding would not cause significant long-term damage to grape production because vineyards were not growing grapes in the winter season.

- REUTERS