'Felt like an earthquake': Sonoma Co. still cleaning up after storms topple trees, wash away roads

CAZADERO, Calif. (KGO) -- In the North Bay, big repairs and major clean-up jobs are happening in communities along the Russian River, where storms over the past two weeks toppled trees and washed away roads.

"My son was sleeping right there, ten feet away, it felt like an earthquake and explosion," said Mark Weiss.

Mark Weiss from Cazadero, made a stunning discovery over the holidays, a 300-foot tall old growth redwood tree toppling during a storm.

"After 24 years here, you know the sound of a tree falling hitting a structure or car - it didn't hit anything with people in it," Weiss added.

MORE: Sonoma County officials warn residents after wastewater leaks into Russian River during flooding

Weiss owns Raymond's Bakery. The giant tree destroyed the outdoor dining area and part of the kitchen.

"We'll probably have to jackhammer the foundation, pour a new one, reframe the wall, he said.

Near Monte Rio, a chunk of Highway 116 fell off into the Russian River during heavy rain Monday. Traffic is now reduced to one lane. Caltrans and the fire department say the washout could grow as runoff flows downhill.

"What happened - we went down with a boat, underneath is an eddy it cuts through, just sucking away at the bottom -it's going to keep sliding," said Chief Steve Baxman from Monte Rio Fire Department.

VIDEO: Marin Co. residents still recovering after storm, king tides cause devastating flood damage

The king tides and storm have passed through Marin County. But for many residents, the devastation is only beginning.

So much rain fell here during the holidays, bringing flooding, falling trees which damaged a home on Bohemian Highway.

"The problem we're having now, we had years of drought so we had a lot of dead trees, now they're filling with water and toppling," said Baxman.

Signs are posted along the Russian River, warning about raw sewage which spilled into the river this week. It happened after the river overflowed at a sewage treatment plant in Guerneville. The spill has now been stopped, water testing is happening.

"As a precaution, we did sampling. All of our samples have come back good, at no time has the water been impacted," said Eric Schanz, General Manager, Sweetwater Springs Water District.

Caltrans says repairs on the washed-out portion of Highway 116 could take up to a year.