San Mateo County, California — A powerful Christmas Eve storm created widespread disruptions across the Peninsula, leaving some residents without electricity while others faced flooded streets and business interruptions. From coastal communities to inland neighborhoods, the weather system brought multiple challenges that affected daily life and holiday plans.
Power Outages Leave Families Adjusting in Half Moon Bay
Visitors and residents in Half Moon Bay experienced overnight power outages as storm conditions intensified. Kristi Reese, who was visiting family for the holidays, said electricity went out around midnight, forcing her family to adjust plans on short notice.
“We’re just hanging in there until the power comes back on,” Reese said, noting that restoration was expected later in the afternoon.
Despite the outage, Reese and her granddaughter made the most of clearer daytime weather by heading outdoors. They visited a nearby convenience store that still had electricity to pick up snacks and use restroom facilities.
Reese explained that power loss created an added complication for her family because their home relies on a well system.
“When their power’s out, they don’t have any water either,” she said.
With evening plans uncertain, the family considered low-tech entertainment options if electricity did not return in time.
“If not, we’ll play Pinochle,” Reese said. “By lantern — flashlight and lantern.”
Flooding Shuts Down Streets in Menlo Park
While coastal residents dealt with outages, parts of Menlo Park faced flooding after heavy rain overwhelmed drainage systems. Hamilton Avenue was shut down after water covered sections of the roadway.
“It really kind of just looked like a swimming pool shaped like a big road,” said Milo Correa, who discovered the flooding early Christmas Eve morning.
Correa said the water caused damage near his home, including a fence that struck a vehicle parked in the driveway.
“Well, it hit my dad’s car,” he said.
Small Businesses Feel the Impact
Flooding also affected nearby businesses. The entrance to a local shopping center was blocked off with cones, making it difficult for customers to access Dashi Japanese Restaurant.
“It’s a flood, and there’s red cones everywhere, so customers cannot come,” said restaurant owner John Bek. “We’re a small business, so every customer counts. This is a really big burden on us right now.”
By lunchtime on Christmas Eve, the restaurant had served only one party in its dining room.
Bek said he hopes the city considers preventative measures to reduce flooding in future storms.
“Maybe street sweeping trucks going back and forth every once in a while,” he suggested. “Especially in weather like this. Dry leaves build up, clogging the drain. That’s what’s causing this.”
Cleanup and Recovery Efforts Underway
Following Wednesday’s flooding, city crews were seen sweeping up debris and leaves to clear storm drains and restore access to affected areas. Officials continue monitoring conditions as cleanup progresses and utilities work to restore services where outages occurred.
Conclusion
The Christmas Eve storm underscored how quickly weather can disrupt holiday plans, affecting everything from family gatherings to small business operations. As Peninsula communities recover, residents are once again reminded of the importance of storm preparedness, infrastructure maintenance, and community support during severe weather events.
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