2,000 Buildings Flooded in California as Storms Slam West

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GUERNEVILLE, California—Floodwaters that turned two Northern California communities into islands were expected to begin receding Thursday, Feb. 28, as a rain-engorged river finally peaked after swamping thousands of homes, businesses and other buildings.

The Russian River in wine country north of San Francisco crested at more than 46 feet Wednesday night, Sonoma County officials said.