Flood Fears Fade After 3rd Storm In Series Drenches Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS/AP) -- Residents of Northern California endured the brunt of another powerful storm that drenched the area with yet another round of pounding rain and strong winds, but officials say damage from the storm was less than expected.

The latest storm system -- the third to hit the area in less than a week -- moved across the region late Saturday and early Sunday. Officials say it dropped as much as an inch of rain per hour in some areas, toppling trees and knocking out electrical service to
tens of thousands of people.

Rivers across Northern California swelled from the deluge, but didn't flood as extensively as had been expected.

Forecasters had issued flood warnings for the Napa and Russian rivers, two rivers north of San Francisco with a history of flooding, as well as the Truckee River, near Lake Tahoe. But by Sunday afternoon, they had canceled the warning for the Russian
River.

(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed)