December storm's second phase moves through region

Parts of the Bay Area got a good drenching Thursday night as phase two of a December storm moves across the region.

The front pushed through before dawn while most people were sleeping, but since then KTVU has been tracking downpours across the region with heavy rains and even some reports of hail and lightning.

"I think we need to be grateful for whatever mother nature shows us,” Oshalla Diana Marcus told KTVU, outside the Whole Foods Market in San Rafael. "I love the rain and we need it," she added. "We just need to be prepared for it."

The staggered series of rainstorms, people said, were easier to deal with than a prolonged deluge.

"We have some sunshine in between and it's not too cold yet,” observed Polly Pareto, another shopper. "We've had some weeks on and off with wet and dry, lots of variety, so it's exciting."

The storm front brought everything from showers to lightning to hail across the region, which made for sloppy commutes at both ends of the clock.

"I heard snapping noises, and I thought, okay, we have no power anymore," Nick Ballinger of Guerneville told KTVU, as he described the onset of the storm.

It kicked off with strong wind gusts before dawn, strong enough to topple trees and one crushed a parked car and took down power lines in Guerneville.

All was back to normal by evening, but the community Christmas tree in the center of town was pummeled enough by winds it was left leaning precariously at a 45 degree angle.

"Around here, what are you going to do?" smiled Ballinger.

"You basically have to deal with whatever’s next to you, and you're lucky if it doesn't fall on you."

At the Whole Foods market, nursery workers said a few of the Christmas trees on display had been toppled by winds, but were otherwise soaking up the moisture.

"I love it, I love the rain, it's my favorite," employee Colin Hunt told KTVU, "and it was pouring a few minutes ago, very very windy, but now it's gone! Ridiculous!"