BigSurKate

3:35 just heard from 2 individuals that the power is out in Big Sur Valley.

Note: The USGS Big Sur River Discharge Rate website has been added to the links to the right, under 2018-2019 Storm Reports & Road Conditions. It isn’t bad right now, although rising, but tomorrow could be interesting.

Per Cal Trans this afternoon, the road is open to Lucia and the Hermitage from the north. Have no idea about the southern end.

11:15 am – Flash Flood Watch issued by NWS for the Santa Lucia Mountains & Los Padres National Forest, Southern Monterey Bay and the Big Sur Coast.

9:30 am – The South Coast, aka Slide Country, is getting hammered. Note, Mining Ridge rainfall totals have doubled in the last 5 hours! Here are the 24 hour totals:

Cal Trans moved the closure to Ragged Point on the South and Deetjen’s on the North at approximately 6 pm last night. No indication any of the previously open sections have been cleared yet.

4:00 am – as of 3 am, Mining Ridge and Three Peaks have each received almost 2” and Chalk Peak is up to 1.72” It was raining enough to wake me up just now.

Last night after dark, Cal Trans moved the closure to Ragged Point, so apparently, there is a problem BEFORE Mud Creek. Perhaps at Gray Slip, as I have been reporting?

Posted in 2018-2019 El Niño, Mud Creek & Paul’s Slide, Road Conditions

This is the closure in the map below. The only businesses accessible from Nacimiento-Fergusson Road are (N to S) Limekiln State Park, Kirk Creek Campground, Sand Dollar Beach, Plaskett Creek Campground, Treebones, and Gorda.

**TRAFFIC ADVISORY**

CALTRANS ANNOUNCES TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF HWY. 1 AT MUD CREEK/PAUL’S SLIDE

MONTEREY COUNTY — Caltrans has received confirmation from National Weather Service (NOAA) data that a significant storm has reached the areas of Mud Creek (PM 8.9) and Paul’s Slide (PM 21.6) on State Route 1 in the Big Sur area and will close Highway 1 at Mud Creek and Paul’s Slide on Monday, Jan. 14 at Noon (12 PM) until further notice.

The closure initiation process will begin at 10 AM with Electronic Message Signs activated and both sets of gates (Mud Creek and Paul’s Slide) closed by Noon (12 pm).Storm activity is forecast through Thursday, Jan. 17.

Nacimiento-Fergusson Rd. (PM 18.9) is the alternate route to reach Hwy. 1 between Mud Creek and Paul’s Slide. However, there is a 40-ft. length, 12-foot height, 60-ton weight, and 10 mph restriction at one of the bridges along this route. Please feel free to check with Fort Hunter-Liggett for more updated information on their road at: https://www.facebook.com/FortHunterLiggett.

Caltrans’ Geotech, Maintenance and Construction units are on call and prepared to inspect/clean up when the storm ends during the daylight hours and it is safe to be onsite again—we anticipate this to be Friday morning, Jan. 18. Caltrans’ goal is to open the roadway as quickly and safely as possible and our staff remains on-call 24/7.

The gates on either side of Mud Creek and Paul’s Slide will be key locked. These gates will not be manned when the highway is closed and there will be no access to anyone, including Emergency Services or Caltrans employees until a proper assessment can be made and any necessary cleanup has been completed.

NOTE: This advisory applies only to the Mud Creek and Paul’s Slide areas with each closure being treated separately—both are closing today. Please stay tuned for additional information when the roadway opens again. SEE ATTACHED CLOSURE MAP.

Posted in 2018-2019 El Niño, Mud Creek & Paul’s Slide, Road Conditions