Photograph by Robert Scheer
Storms raised the levels of local creeks to near-flood levels last week.
In Wildwood Park, these trees had plenty of water.
By Clarence Cromwell
A Presidents Day storm that drenched Saratoga decreased attendance at the Mustard Festival and swelled local creeks before dying out the same day.
The storm began last Monday morning and poured 4.15 inches on Saratoga by Tuesday at 8 a.m. Officials at Madronia Cemetery record rainfall at that time each day.
The steady downpour canceled vineyard tours and vine-pruning demonstrations at the popular Mustard Festival.
About 130 determined tasters showed up to sample Mariani's gourmet mustard and wines. Nevertheless, crowds were a fraction as large as those the previous two days. About 450 attended the festival on Feb. 17, and 620 attended on Feb. 18, organizers said.
"The weather kept a lot of people away," said Cindy Shepard, director of special events for Mariani Winery. "But we still had some die-hard wine enthusiasts."
Besides soaking holiday spirits, the torrents prompted National Weather Service meteorologists to issue a small-stream flood warning for Santa Clara County. Local creeks rose above their usual levels, but Saratoga Fire District and Central Fire District dispatchers said they received no calls about storm-related damage or flooding.
The flood advisory expired at 3 a.m. on Feb. 20.
Showers continued intermittently, although without flood warnings, throughout the week. The Feb. 21 rainfall record showed 2.5 more inches. On Feb. 22, only 0.39 inches had fallen.
The rainy week hoisted February's total rainfall to 10.3 inches by Thursday.
The total rainfall for the season as of 8 a.m. on Feb. 22, was 26.96 inches, about four inches more than normal.
This article appeared in the Saratoga News, February 28, 1996.
©1996 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved