This winter. These, in essence, help to prevent the contamination or water that they use to wet down the contaminated ash as they excavate. It helps to contain that material within the property so it doesnt come out. Reporter those also surround the burned out firestation 5 in the Fountain Grove community. The material you see here is also an absorbent helping to keep contaminants from washing into storm drains. The storm is also filling up the local creeks and rivers. Its one of the reasons Sonoma County issued a Flash Flood Watch for areas devastated by the fire three months ago today. Were always concerned. Im a contractor. Ive been watching the fire stuff. A lot of my friends lost their homes. Everybody is very nervous right now. Reporter federal and local cleanup crews continue to work through the rain, careful not to tear off any part of the mountainside that might trigger a slide down below. And heres an example of that. Some of these walls and foundations are still up. The army corps says that, again, removing them might loosen some of that soil underneath and that might trigger a slide down below. Right now, just a very light drizzle up here in northern california. Were live in santa rosa, damian trujillo, nbc bay area. Thank you, damian. Lets check in with Marianne Favro in los gatos. Shes live. How is it looking there . Reporter well, you can see one of the biggest impacts of the storm here on highway 17 in los gatos. The rain is creating very dangerous conditions for motorists. In fact, i just got off the phone with the california Highway Patrol and officers tell me they have responded to many accidents just today. The storm created scary surprises for the driver of this car. It ended up on its roof early this morning off highway 17. Hydroplaned. Reporter fortunately, Sergio Flores and his passengers are okay. Chp officers also responded to this accident near redwood estates. Highway 17 wasnt the only trouble spot. Heavy rains left people maneuvering around neighborhoods and finding a parking spot became more challenging as many commercial lots flooded. In downtown san jose, this huge tree came crashing down near guadalupe river. Flooding is a big concern for rick who lives in the Mobile Home Park in san jose which saw flooding last winter. I worry about my neighborhood. Reporter sections of the Los Gatos Creek trail are also flooded but most people we talked to say this storm is more necessary than nuisance. I like the fact that its raining. Reporter the heaviest rains are expected out here tonight between 7 00 and 10 00 and the chp officers tell us that, of course, you should slow down. Thats only commonsense. Dont go your normal rate of speed in these conditions. But here is another tip from the chp. Be sure and check the treads on your tires because if you cant get a good grip, then youre more likely to skid out on these wet roads. Reporting live in los gatos, Marianne Favro, nbc bay area news. Marianne, thank you. In all of this weather concern, the Biggest Issue is just the traffic headaches and the crashes. This video now just sent in to the newsroom on the san mateo bridge a fviewer sent us this dodge that is overturned and on fire. Eastbound lanes of the san mateo bridge are closed. This happened about 20 minutes ago. The evening commute, the heart of this evening commute, eastbound lanes on the san mateo bridge are closed because ofc that car you see there overturned and on fire. Crews are not overturned but on fire. Crews are on the scene. If youre headed that way, plan for ex true time. Theres a sixmile backup headed towards the san mateo bridge. The last major storm we had was in february when the coyote career flooded forcing thousands from their home. Free sandbags were handed out to help prevent any more flooding. Last year you might remember people criticized the city for failing to warn people about the creek flooding. Since then, Community Groups have taken matters into their own hands meeting with city workers to monitor the creek level. I know theres been more talk and meeting and discussions. I think the proof will be when the rain comes. Sandbag Distribution Centers are open 24 7. These are breath taking pictures and not just the accident that came with it. This is the fog engulfing the bay bridge. Swayze 31 sending a picture of the ferry building. And this is looking towards the intersection of carl and coal. We want to see your photos and videos on air. Send it to us at isee nbcbayarea. Com. Time to go back. Nearly 20 years in the u. S. , the Trump Administration announced temporary protected status for 200,000 salvadorans is ending. Nearly 50,000 live here. They have by september 2019 to seek permanent citizenship or face deportation. The move, though, not unexpected. The same status ended for immigrants from honduras and haiti and nicaragua last year. The announcement will be detrimental for el salvador and its citizens. Theres no way that a poor country and one of the highest levels of violence affecting any nation in latin america is going to be able to integrate in a normal fashion tens of thousands of people who are going to be returned or deported. Senator Kamala Harris said, these are people who rebuilt their lives in the u. S. After fleeing an earthquake over a decade ago. They have kids, jobs and homes here. The Trump Administration abruptly deciding they cant live here anymore is callous. Syria are next expected to lose protected status. Mitt romney was treated last summer for prostate cancer. He reportedly had Successful Surgery at Uc Irvine Medical Center and was given a good prognosis by doctors. Romney is said to be eyeing a bid this coming november for the vacant utah senate seat. Republican orrin hatch is retiring in utah. Back incorporate, but only briefly. The man accused of killing kate sta steinle is facing new charges. He was denied bond because of an outstanding violation from texas and will be back in court for a plea hearing in february. This was the twist today when asked by a judge to provide his name and age, zarate identified himself as juan jose de de la plata. Thats the fourth different name hes given to authorities. His Attorney Says its simply an old alias. New tactics are in place to help San Franciscos epidemic of breakins. San francisco had more than 30,000 breakins in 2017. For a final last summer, there was more than 130 breakins in a day. We set up the crimes unit in november and ten of 48 are specifically for bike and car burglars. Up next here at 5 00, fired after writing that controversial memo. A former google employee is now fighting back himself. What hes demanding from google. And some bay area roadways and freeways looked more like junk yards today because of all of this rain. Our microclimate alert continues. And im tracking rain over the peninsula headed to millbrae at 5 14 tonight and a heavier pocket by 6 03. Were tracking the top rainfall totals today and when this moves out of here. Thats coming up in nine minutes. Microclimate weather alert. This is a live look at san mateo bridge. A major traffic alrt. We continue our coverage of the microclimate weather alert. You cant quite see it from right here, but as you go towards farther in that bridge, two eastbound lanes are closed heading towards the east bay, they are closed right now. We showed you the car on fire and its right there on the bridge. They are working to clear that car. Right now theres a sixmile backup going eastbound on the bridge. Ostracized, belittled and bun punished. Now hes suing google for discrimination because hes white. Sam . Reporter he says that as a White Conservative male he lost his job for his viewpoint. The name will sound familiar. He was the author of the google memo that got submitted internally on a google message board. It was specifically rubbing some people the wrong way. They thought it was sexist. Whether you think that or dont think that, he and his attorney say thats not grounds for dismass sal. Reporter five months from his firing, james demoore wants a legal reckoning with his former employer. And he his lawyer say the beef is not over free speech in the workplace but fair employment. James would not be communicating with me and sitting here if he hadnt been fired. Reporter the classaction lawsuit involving damore describes the open hostility for conservative thought leaving some employees to be singled out, mistreated and systematically punished and dismissed from google. He was asked what diversity means to him. Just having a diverse set of people and a diverse set of views and having people feel comfortable and not be so harshly punished for just expressing themselv themselves. Reporter google has not responded but did say in an email right after the firing, to suggest a group of colleagues have traits that make them less biologically suited to that work is offensive and not okay according to our code of conduct. Now, the lawsuit on its face is about unlawful termination but the concern, a major complaint is that google celebrates the hiring of women and minorities and there was a specific example, one of many. According to ta lawsuhat lawsuie are companywide meetings where employees who were white and caucasian were mocked and booed at those meetings. Reporting live, sam brock, nbc bay area news. Thanks, sam. Back to our microclimate weather alert, steady rain is falli falling. 880 in fremont, pretty jammed up. Traffic in 101 and palo alto looks like its moving nicely but a lot of water on the roadways. Robert, messy conditions today. Reporter thats right. Were here in palo alto. There were a lot of likely rainrelated problems on the roadway, including a deadly crash here. There was a lot of stop and go traffic in the rain along the always active stretch of page mill road near coyote hill road but most of the snarls were the result of an investigation by the a california Highway Patrol after a deadly crash. Although it was raining and the road was slick at the time of the crash, officers cant yet confirm that weather was to blame. As of right now, for unknown reasons, it left the roadway and collided into a tree. Reporter the chp was not so reluctant to comment on this dramatic scene, an over turned f150. Officers say it appears the driver was simply driving too fast in the rain. At times, the chp had to shut down most or all of the southbound lanes to clean up the mess. Officers say the driver was fortunate to escape major injuries. There were two vehicles involved in this crash in belmont on ralston road. The driver of this van told us he lost control in the rain and very wet road when he hit his brake hard. The rain and wind also created other hazards but the chp says the main hazard in the rain is often the driver. Sometimes theres oil on the roadway, but in this case, people were just driving too fast. Whether theres anything on the roadway or not. Reporter now, the Coroners Office is not ready to release the name of the man who died in that crash today. Coming up at 6 00, the chp is reminding us of a new law that drivers are getting used to. R robert handa, nbc bay area news. Theres a big backup at the san mateo bridge because of that car . And the rain is coming in waves. Its light, moderate, heavy and then goes back to light rain at times. Its all over the place. Thats just the nature of what were seeing moving in right now. This is our microclimate weather alert. This is all of the rainfall weve had and the high amounts. You can see its not just us dealing with this wet weather but all the way down towards Southern California. Were in for another two to six hours of this consistent rainfall before we start this evening, beginning to slowly taper off. In terms of the flood threat, that remains across the north bay and fire burn zones, you can see right here, we have mudslides and also debris flows and potentially even some localized flooding. I want to put a track on some of this rainfall that is making a it dangerous out here. You can see heavier pockets that continue into hercules and vallejo at 6 03 and here across the bay, moderate rain moving into morago at 5 25. Also, more heavier rain on the way right here in woodside at 5 41 and fremont at 6 09. As we heard from the chp officers, you just have to reduce your speed this evening. A lot of rainfall in a short amount of time. My meteorologist rob mayeda has that. Rain is piling up around the north bay as a few spots are closing in on close to three inches of rain. Kentfield, just under three inches of rain. Mill valley, 2. 33. San francisco now, the wettest day since february 20th, well over an inch of rain. Oakland there, too, and check out san jose, closing in on an inch of rain there. And near orinda, were not quite done. That is impressive. Ben lomond, over 2. 5 inches. We take you down to Southern California and storm ranger is there and there is a high flooding threat with all of the wildfires over the past couple of months and in the low elevations, threequarters of an inch to 1 1 2 and in the mountains, 2 to 5 inches. Thats over the next 12 hours through Southern California. What about the rest of the bay area for tonight . I think the heaviest rainfall well undergo is from the current moment through 8 30 at night and then continuing into about 11 00 p. M. This evening. After 11 00 it starts to slowly break up so by 6 00 a. M. Tomorrow, its a scattered rainfall situation that we continue into tuesday afternoon. Rainfall totals, anywhere from one to two inches across the bay. It doesnt matter where youre going. San francisco, close to two and santa rosa also looking at close to two. Morning temperatures tomorrow, starting off in the 50s with wet roads. Plan for ex true time and take it slow. East bay to San Francisco and also for the north bay. Thankfully, you do have some dry weather coming in the forecast. Check this out. Wednesday, thursday, friday, saturday, sunshine returns and then it does look like more rainfall could come back once we hit next mondays forecast. Its not a strong storm system right now but could signal more wet weather along the way. Inland valleys, we warm back up to the 60s by thursday and friday. Raj and janelle, it looks like we could see heavier rainfall back in the mention over the next 14 days. Could be certainly a wet january. And so many adults and kids going back to school. Thank you, guys. Thank you both so much. Did you see it . Did you hear about the buzz today . Oprah for president . Well have the latest following her emotional speech at the Golden Globes last night. Woman so, greg, its a lot to take in. Woman 2 and i know thats hard to hear, but the doctors caught it early. Hi, blake my dad has cancer. Woman and i know how hard that is to hear. But youre in the right place. Man and dr. Pascal and her team, they know what to do. They know what to do. The doctors know what to do. So heres the plan. First off, were going to give you all. voice fading away ken norton junior, joining the San Francisco 49ers as an assistant coach, in charge of defense and inside happening now, joining the San Francisco 49ers as an assistant coach in charge of defense and inside linebackers, norton spent the last0c2 1 2 seasons as defensive coordinator for the oakland raiders. Also, people wanting to go to disneyland for a cheaper price got their wish. Discounted rates but with a requirement. You have to live in Southern California. Back in a moment. Ive seen wonders all around the world but what i see here never ceases to amaze me change. I see it in their eyes. It happens when people connect with nature, with culture, with each other. Day after day im the first to see change. To see people go out, and come back new. Princess cruises. Sail with the best premium cruise line. 7day cruises from 599. This is a live look at san rafael. Back to our microclimate weather alert. A live look at 101 in san rafael. Wet roads and steady traffic on the right moving but it is slow. Southbound is moving nicely. Well keep you posted in another live report coming up. An actor at a popular Netflix Series has been arrested for stealing jewelry from elderly people. Investigators say this happened across marin county. Tiburon Police Released the mugshot of brian who is accused of targeting clients that he cared for. He would talk about his career and then steal their jewelry and other valuables. He appeared on 13 reasons why in a minor recurring role. The film is filming their second season. And the first major award show after Sexual Harassment allegations emerged against harvey weinstein. The stars had a lot to say. I want all of the girls watching here now to know that a new day is on the horizon. Oprah winfreys speech rocked the house and caused a trending hashtag on twitter. Oprah2020. Ill believe anything at this point. Exactly. A special day. Well show you why next. Tonight at 6 hopefully you ve avoided it. Its a nasty flu season. For humans and dogs. Tonight at 6 00, hopefully youve avoided it. A nasty flu season so far for humans and dogs. Find out where the dog flu is now raising red flags right here in the bay area. Thats on our 6 00 newscast. Normally we dont cover children going to preschool but Princess Charlotte was on her way to school in west london. She turns 3 in may. She dresses like a princess, also. So precious. Shes adorable. Before we go, we want to check in why jeith jeff ranieri. Its wet and well have another six to eight hours of consistent rainfall moving across the bay area right now. A chance of scattered rain tomorrow. Dry for the upcoming weekend and maybe more rain on monday. Thank you, jeff. Thanks for joining us here at 5 00. As a reminder, lester holt joins us here on nightly news. Tonight, is President Trump to go under oath facetoface with Robert Mueller . Nbc news breaks the story. Negoti