Year: 2009

Storm Watch, 4/9/09

As of 11:00 pm, we never did get any rain down here on the South Coast of Big Sur. The radar images on the news tonight (out of Bakersfield, of all places) had the rain going east from Monterey, not south.

3:00 pm – Nothing up here, yet, in fact, a bit of sun, but here are some photos sent to me by Jo-Ann Allison. First, the now infamous car in the culvert, from the Highway One side. It appears to have washed down from the parking lot in the debris flow. Whoever owns this car, has lots of photos for his or her insurance company:

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And this one shows the line of cars, both in front of, and behind Jo-Ann, trying to get through Highway One, on Tuesday, around noon, BEFORE the slide completely shut it down later that afternoon. Also note the fence at the Lodge which was partially taken out.

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And here is one, again from the Highway and Jo-Ann’s car, showing how the parking lot and the Highway were “one” with each other, thanks to the mud. It also shows the loss of parts of the fence. (okay, there WILL be one, maybe, below.)

 

Rain likely later today. For now, up here anyway, overcast, foggy, and dismal. Matches the mood of my cold perfectly. Another day to try to stay warm, dry, and inside. I’ve been promised more photos this afternoon.

Photos of the mudslide

Tuesday afternoon saw another blow to the Big Sur State Park, who has suffered set-back after set back toward its goal to open by Memorial Day.  I think Mother Nature is telling us she is not ready for millions of visitors to her scarred and healing hills. When she tries to tell us gently, we sometimes don’t hear her, so she has to YELL to be heard.

These photos by Rain Greenslate, Chief of Maintenance Big Sur tell the story so well. She and Jo-ann are sending more tomorrow. Thanks ladies for sharing these with us and I will post as many of them tonight as I can, and more tomorrow!!

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Cal-Trans News Release & Report from the locals

Ah, Mother Nature. How much we love you!! Just when we get complacent that the storms are over and Big Sur sur-vived, as only she can, you come along and remind us — of your awesome power — and incredible sense of humor!! Wild and colorful displays for us, along with 80 degree weather one day, and cold, heavy rains and mud slides the next. Yes, dear lady, you are one grande dame. We honor and respect you here in your turbulent arms!

From my friend, Debbie, in the valley:

“Well, lots of digging out going on.  Just heard on the scanner they are going to try a escort a few cars through the park entrance area a few at a time on a need basis.  Jo-Ann just left here to try to get to her office.  She had to leave her car last night and wade through the day use road to get home.  Quite a mess.  Juan Higuera overflowed the culvert and brought debris down my driveway again.  I was here and the guys kept going to check on it.  Dogs fine and barking at them at the time.  I went home, no problem.  Basil hoe’d out rock from the culvert and all is flowing fine again.  River was never an issue.  Just raised up a bit and is the dark stinky muddy thing it has been all winter during storms.  I spoke with Debra briefly earlier, they are closing the Lodge tonight because they have to close the sewer plant – really don’t know what that story is.”

Cal-Trans News Release:

“MONTEREY COUNTY – Highway 1 reopened with one-way reversing traffic control with flaggers at 11:30am today after closing yesterday at 6pm due to heavy mud slide activity for four miles from south of Ventana to north of the Big Sur Park (Campgrounds), Caltrans officials have announced.

Maintenance crews will continue working in the area to clear any debris and get the highway fully open. Up to 30-minute delays can be expected and motorists should proceed with caution. Updates will be available as conditions change.”

And if you haven’t seen the photos (still trying to find out the name of the photographer) in the post below, take a look!

Storm Watch, 4/8/09

9:00 am – The Herald is reporting the road expected to open by mid-day. Cal-Trans is predicting one lane open by about 1 pm. Stay tuned for further updates, as they become available. And the photo, when the internet fairies allow.

car-in-culvert2I do not know who provided these, it may have been Rene, but I would like to give credit to the photographer. Here is one of Highway One:

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8:00 am – I received an additional 1/2 in. overnight, for the storm, 1.25″, for the season, 33.75″

Here is a shot taken by Rene Robles of the parking lot at the Big Sur Lodge late yesterday afternoon. Be patient with me, if it takes a while to get it uploaded. Well, I will get it loaded when I can. In the meantime, there is an article in today’s Herald about last night’s closure. There is also an article about the fugitive who shot himself in Big Sur a few days ago. The mudslide article is at: http://www.montereyherald.com/ci_12096953?nclick_check=1

5:00 am – it continues to rain, heavy at times. While CHP is not reporting the closure, anymore, I cannot imagine that it opened during the night, given conditions. Often times, old incidents will drop off their website. There were unconfirmed reports that one lane was open for a time, last night around 9:30 pm. Will report more, when I know more.

Storm Report & Road Closure

9:00 pm – conserving power for posting tomorrow, first light, and also conserving my own power, as I have been sick with a nasty grunge for DAYS!! Check back in the am, and I will post what I can find out.

6:45 pm – I have received another 1/4 inch in the last 45 minutes. It is POURING, some hail, too. Imagine being inside a tin can with someone shooting BBs at you. That is what it is like up here, at the moment.

6:00 pm – This is from various sources:

Highway 1 is closed in both directions because of a mud slide. The CHP website has the south end closure at MM 44 (Nepenthe), and the north closure at 46, I believe, and cars are being turned around in both directions. Per CHP, closure all night, crew to clear in am. Reports are that this mudslide is significant, and one can NOT get through, even locals. Updates, as available, and my battery power allows.

It is being reported that the mudslide is at the Big Sur River in the State Park, and that the mud  is near the top of the K-rails surrounding the Big Sur Lodge, and that same water has seeped into the Lodge itself. If my friends who live near-by send me any photos tomorrow, I will be sure and post them. 

Also, it is raining like crazy up here, and I received 3/4″ since 8 am. Season rain totals tomorrow.

Storm Watch, 4/7/09

I’m waiting and watching. NOAA is predicting up to an inch in the higher mountains by this time tomorrow, as well as possible lightning and hail. I’m not expecting it down here until later this morning. Other possibilities of precipitation later this week, also. It will make the grass and the wildflowers happy, particularly if we get nice warm sunshine next week. 😎

Sprinkles started here about 8:00 am, and there is also wind. Could be an fun little springtime storm.

Zigadenus fremontii

Zigadenus fremontii, originally uploaded by wind_dancer.

Latin name: Zigadenus fremontii; Pronunciation: zig-a-DEE-nus free-MONT-ee-eye; Common name: Star lily; Family: Liliaceae (Lily); Habitat: Rocky outcrops, dry grassy or wooded slopes below 3000′, coastal sage scrub and chaparral. Blooming period: March to May.

I have these above 3K ft, but they are not in bloom, yet. I took this one a couple years ago.

Rain a comin’

Spring rains expected tomorrow morning. Yay!! Every little bit helps. NOAA is predicting between 1/4 and 1/2 inch. Possibility of further rain Wednesday through Friday, but only a possibility.

Also, on a sad note, dear Miss Sara Byrne’s husband, Greg Denmark, died just short of his 56 birthday in a drowning accident in Washington State about 10 days ago. Our thoughts and love are with you, Miss Sara. (You may remember Sara and Greg from their days at River Inn, she managing the store, and he, doing maintenance.)

Baby Blue Eyes

baby blue eyesThis field of baby blue eyes shows the scorched area of the Chalk Fire.  That is Cone Peak in the background.

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These are the baby blue eyes, a little closer up. I have one more hillside of baby blues to add to this post later tonight, if possible.

Incident near River Inn & Andrew Molera Saturday

Ever since I heard about the incident yesterday in the Valley, I have been trying to confirm what I had heard. There has been a dearth of information about it from the local news media, and all I could get was information from my local sources, which was surprisingly accurate.

Finally, this afternoon, KION, channel 46 in Salinas provided information it obtained from the MCSO. Here is a part of that story:

“According to sheriff’s investigators, two drivers were involved in a traffic collision near the Big Sur River Inn at about 3:30 p.m. Saturday; shortly after, county dispatchers told the deputy on scene that one of the vehicles involved was reported stolen out of Colorado Springs, Colo.  The  driver of the suspected vehicle then fled on foot behind the River Inn.

The deputy and a U.S. Forest Service officer ran after him, and a California Highway Patrol airplane was called to help search the hillside.  Sheriff’s deputies say the man was found about 150 feet up the hillside, lying down under a tree; upon being found, investigators say he put a gun to his head and shot himself dead.”

There is not much I can say, except this man must have been desperate. I am sorry for his family, but given the rash of shootings making the news, I am very grateful that this person did not try to take others with him at the end of his journey. (He has not yet been identified.)