Greetings,
During Friday afternoon’s conference call and until this evening, the northern closure of SR-1 in the Big Sur area was located at the Pfeiffer Canyon Bridge, MPM 45.5. Effective immediately, the northern closure of SR-1 is being moved from the Pfeiffer Bridge to the Point Sur Lighthouse, MPM 54. This new location is being established based on continued inclement weather causing numerous, hazardous, active debris flows now extending for several miles north of the Pfeiffer Bridge creating a threat to public safety along SR-1. I’ve directed California Highway Patrol personnel to SR-1 at the Point Sur Lighthouse to man the new closure and provide appropriate law enforcement/public services until further notice. CalTrans will respond and assess the new debris flows and highway conditions during daylight hours on Tuesday, February 21. I apologize for any inconvenience this new closure may cause you, your staff and constituents. For current highway conditions in Monterey County, please refer to http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist05/road_information.htm You may also call 1-800-427-7623 for current highway conditions or find more information about roads, traffic and travel. My CHP 911 Communications may also be contacted anytime at (831) 796-2160.
Thanks,
Robb
Robert (Robb) Kaczor, Lieutenant
California Highway Patrol
From Susana Cruz at the DOT:
(RE: SIG ALERT-HWY 1 CLOSED) : SR-1 FULL CLOSURE MOVED SOUTH–RAGGED PT (SLO PM 72.87) TO JNO PT. SUR FACILITY (MON PM 54.5) AS OF 7PM. THIS INCLUDES LOCAL ACCESS.
Caltrans Willow Springs reported excessive rain at Mud Creek and Big Sur Maintenance reported 20-30 slides between Pfeiffer Bridge and the Crab Lab. Be Safe.
*IMPORTANT NOTE TO LOCALS: SEVERAL DAYS OF RAIN ARE ANTICIPATED TO CONTINUE THROUGH NEXT WEDNESDAY, FEB. 22. DUE TO SAFETY PRECAUTIONS, PFEIFFER CANYON BRIDGE WILL REMAIN FULLY CLOSED, INCLUDING TO PEDESTRIAN AND EMERGENCY SERVICES. THE NEXT BRIDGE INSPECTION WILL BE MADE EITHER ON TUESDAY, FEB. 21 OR WEDNESDAY, FEB. 22, AFTER THE RAIN, BUT IT IS NOT LIKELY THE BRIDGE WILL RE-OPEN.
*BUSINESSES REMAIN OPEN*
Another update regarding the Highway 1 Big Sur Coast will be provided around mid-morning tomorrow, Tuesday, Feb. 21.
Thanks Kate…how are you doing up there?
Per CHP scanner, Cachagua Rd at Carmel Valley Rd is washed out.
CHP scanner states: Feb 21 2017 4:40AM [1] LG PORTION OF THE RDWY IS WASHED AWAY
PER MTRY CALFIRE , RDWY IS GONE, REQ A HARD CLOSURE, MTRY CALFIRE WILL NTFY MTRY COM FOR CO RDS
NPR announced that Big Sur just got 7″ of rain.
No time-line given, but sounded like in one day.
Goodness.
Your readers might be interested in SoCal & Central Coast numbers for rainfall in the last Big Storm:
THE FOLLOWING ARE SNOWFALL AND RAINFALL TOTALS IN INCHES
FOR THE STORM SYSTEM THAT AFFECTED THE REGION FROM
FEBRUARY 16TH THROUGH THE 18TH. MOST OF THE PRECIPITATION
FELL ON THE 17TH.
https://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/wx/afos/p.php?pil=RRMLOX&e=201702200054
The SB Co totals are astonishing. 10 inches at San Marcos Pass, 8 at Lk Cachuma (El Rey fire, etc etc.). I think the “DRY” switch has flipped to “WET”
Cheers — Pete Tillman
Cambria
At the Big Sur Station, we had 5.57 inches from 4 p.m. on 2/19 until 3 p.m. on 2/20. We measured another 1.75″ this morning for a total of 7.32″. Since 3 p.m. on 2/16, we have totaled just over 13″ of rain. According to the USGS site, the Big Sur River reached 12.23′ at 11 p.m. last night.