I just ran across this tweet by BEU. I know absolutely nothing else.
Day: January 8, 2017
Paul’s Slide – night photo
Photo by Brendon Shave
If anyone thinks they are going to get through, show them this.
Big Sur River Log Jam breaking up
Photo by Jeff Mallory
Steve Beck sent out this notice to all Clear Ridge Road users:
“All, the River Inn Bridge is NOT USABLE!!! The valley is flooded. As far as i know Sycamore canyon gate entrance is good. Steve”
New Voluntary Evacuations issued
From OES Manager:
Based on information received from the National Weather Service, and current conditions provided by the Monterey County Sheriffs office, the Monterey County Office of Emergency Services is issuing a Voluntary Evacuation order for the areas of Big Sur from Pfeiffer State Park West to Andrew Molera State Park along the Big Sur river basin. This order will be in effect until 0800 hours tomorrow morning.
River Photos
By Brendon Shave, with the exception of the first one of the loader, which is by a SF Chronicle journalist.
Big Sur River at 10′ and rising
5:30 pm – flow is now the second highest recorded, only behind the one in 1978.
Here is an interesting comparison of the state of the river from noon until 4:30. PHoto by Jeff Mallory
4:15 pm scanner reports log jam just broke free and debris flowing down river. Per Nadine Clark and Brendon Shave.
It looks like the river just past its high water mark from January 4.
10+ Feet and rising fast.
Highway One to close tonight
UPDATE; Around 7:30 pm, the closure was pushed back to Fuller’s at MM 42. I know there is a tree blocking both lanes near Esalen, and there may be other issues I haven’t heard about.
Highway 1 will be closing at 4:30 PM tonight from Ragged Point to Lucia (MM 23)
Flash Flood Warning
Photos by Brendon Shave
There goes the road again!
1:53 PM – just received:
This is a notification from Alert Monterey County:
THIS IS AN EMERGENCY MESSAGE
The National Weather Service has issued a FLASH FLOOD WARNING for your area. This message is being sent to areas at greatest risk for flash flooding.
A WARNING is issued when a hazardous weather or hydrologic event is occurring, is imminent, or has a very high probability of occurring.
A WARNING is used for conditions posing a threat to life or property.
We STRONGLY suggest you take appropriate precautions or preparations to protect life or property.
REMEMBER, A WARNING IS A HIGHER ALERT LEVEL THAN A WATCH. A WARNING MEANS IT IS IMMINENT OR HAS A VERY HIGH PROBABILITY OF OCCURRING.
Rain & Road Reports, Sunday, 1/8/17
Incident: 00329 Type: Traffic Hazard Location: SR1 / BIG CREEK Loc Desc: NB JSO Lat/Lon: 36.069587 -121.599060
Detail Information
1:36 PM 2 [3] 1039 DOT
1:36 PM 1 [2] LARGE BOULDER NB LANE
11:30 – Due to the current weather and road conditions, CPOA is postponing its Annual Meeting that was scheduled for this coming Tuesday. A new date will be announced in the near future.
oh, and btw, it is POURING here!
10 am – Several of our most talented and knowageable locals went and took a look at the log jam this am and came to this conclusion:
We (4 guys) got out this morning at first light to evaluate the Redwood log jam on the Big Sur River. We sized up the situation under some down pours and gusty winds. The location is north of Saint Francis Church and south of “Dorwood” which is just south of the Grange. We accessed river left from a foot bridge over the river at this location.
The trees are the victims of an eroded river bank on a piece of State Park property and may not be the only trees to ultimately end up in the River. River left is getting scoured and is undermining the root balls of the remaining trees.
(River side determined by facing down stream),
The obvious solution is to cut the ends of the trees in a way that allowed the trunks to rotate parallel with the flow of the river. And I’m prepared to jump in and just do it, but aside from the danger, it is entirely possible that the trunks could realign in a way that took out the remaining bridges (4) downstream. I’d rather not be known as the guy who took out Brewer’s Bridge.
Aside from the issue of staging, which might be insurmountable, getting a crane involved would be hairy as well, under the current circumstances. The river is pulsing with a lot of energy and the hydraulics could easily out wit and out muscle that piece of equipment.
So, as in most things involving nature, I think we let her take her course, cross our fingers and keep an eye on it until the river goes down
Highway One to open at 11 am.
9 am – San Lorenzo River predicted to top 21 feet by 9 pm this evening. Flood stage is 16.5 feet.
8:30 am –
Big Sur Station Rain Totals:
Storm Total: 4.46″ (since Friday at 4 p.m.)
Overnight Total: 1.4″ (since Saturday at 8 p.m.)
We still have electricity & internet.
The station will be open from 9-4 today. (Thank you Tim Bills)
7:45 am – it has been quiet here since midnight, except for the wind. Most of the lightning and thunder and hail between midnight and 1 am was to the north of here. Little rain at the moment, but predictions are the storm will move southward this afternoon. The road is open north of Lucia, apparently, as I have seen or heard nothing to indicate otherwise. CHP still lists the closures of Palo Colorado, OCR, and south from Lucia to Ragged Point. Crews are probably already out down here on the south end taking care of the constant slides. I am actually going to get my first cup of coffee before 8 am this morning. As always, I will be monitoring throughout the day. Stay safe and aware.