Storm Brings Rain, Snow, Thunder, House Fire To Northern California

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — It started with a clap of thunder, it continued throughout the day dumping rain and snow in the valley and Sierra.

Neighbors came to the rescue when a house went up in flames during Friday's storm, and rushed to save what was left of the home from the pouring rain.

"It was arcing on the top there and there was fire all around the panel," said Andy Trihub.

The homeowners were out of town when the fire started. Crews believe the bad weather ignited flames in the home's electrical panel.

"That is my little red fire extinguisher," Trihub said. "It didnt quite cut it."

Penn Valley Fire District Capt. Clayton Thomas says the weather stretched crews thin.

"There's the danger of the power lines at this particular structure and the trees in the area due to the wind and rain, and just getting to the scene, there's been some hazardous roadways today," he said.

The consistent 45 mph winds knocked down power lines and trees.

"Thats what it takes when you have so many resources out and about during the day," he said. "Everyone is kind of out of position and you gotta move resources around to get all the bases covered."

The rain turned into snow a lot lower than expected making for a mess on the roadways. In the Blue Canyon area, Hector Ochoa and his family weren't expecting to get stuck in four hours of messy traffic between Sacramento and Kingvale.

"It just kind of just popped up on us," he said.

Snow plows and chain controls were in full effect, and chain installers were hard at work along Interstate 80.

Caltrans crews turned back chainless cars at around 6,000 feet, and Ochoa was left waiting for his chains as his friends wait for him in Truckee.

"The weather man told us there wasn't going to be any snow that's why we came totally unprepared that it was all going to be just rain," he said.

In Placerville, the rain was falling off and on all day, making for a soggy start to the weekend. After a dry start to 2015, the region finally got a good soaking.

David Gallagher and his roommates hit the gas station, filling up gas cans after their power went out.

"We're going to be running generators all night," he said.

He lives up in the hills and says every year, a storm like this causes damage around town.

"Hope no trees fall on our houses," he said.

Vonadale Ramirez says she's heard of some minor damage around her neighborhood, but nothing major, yet.

"A lot of branches down, trees, backyards turned over by the wind..other than that..everyone's safe," she said.

She said she doesn't take chance though and tries to be prepared for weather-related emergencies.