7:30 am – First, let me explain why I have been MIA. My internet went out sometime after 2 am Tuesday morning. I have been completely lost without it and unable to find out much re highway or weather, and of course, unable to report. Tuesday and Wednesday I was so frustrated. Yesterday, I just relaxed, built a fire (it was quite cold) and read. There was ice and hail on the deck where the Starlink dish lives, so too dangerous to go work on it, then, this am, it came back on its own.

************************************************************************************************

From NWS:

The Climate Prediction Center has
highlighted portions of California, once again, in their 8-14
graphics with a high risk of heavy precipitation, moderate risk of
high winds, and flooding possible. The time window is sometime
between Feb 16-21. Models have been trending this way over the last
couple days, but we are still too far out to resolve details
regarding impacts to the Bay Area and Central Coast. The takeaway is
to utilize the good weather days this weekend and into next week to
prepare for a potentially impactful pattern late next week through
Washington`s Birthday holiday weekend.

From KION: We’ll be dry and seasonable through the weekend and into early next week with mostly sunny to partly cloudy skies. We are watching a system toward the end of next week that could bring some light rain to the area. Stormy weather returns next weekend into the holiday. Heavy rain and gusty winds with flooding possible once again. Keep the rain gear ready.

**************************************************************************************************

ROCKSLIDE ON HIGHWAY 1 MOVES NORTHERN CLOSURE UP
FROM PAUL’S SLIDE TO NORTH OF BIG CREEK BRIDGE

MONTEREY COUNTY– Due to active slide activity, the northern closure on Highway 1, previously located at Paul’s Slide at Post Mile 22, has moved north to 1.7 miles north of the Big Creek Bridge at Post Mile 29.7. There is as yet no estimated time for reopening.

Caltrans and contracted crews are on site to clear debris and stabilize the hillside above the roadway.

Caltrans Central Coast (District 5)

*************************************************************************************************

8:00 am – From Caltrans, earlier:

Date:	Wednesday, February 7, 2024
District:	05 – Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz Counties
Contact:	Kevin Drabinski or Jim Shivers
Phone:	(805) 549-3138 or (805) 549-3237

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

UPDATE #2

REPAIRS CONTINUE AT PAUL’S SLIDE WITH RAIN AND SITE CONDITIONS STILL PLAYING KEY ROLES IN DETERMING DATE FOR A FULL REOPENING

MONTEREY/SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTIES – Crews continue with repairs to Highway 1 at Paul’s Slide on the Big Sur coast. The estimated date for a full reopening of Highway 1 at Paul’s Slide remains late spring of 2024.

Crews have had to suspend repair work in the days immediately before and after recent rain events. However, the rain has not had a significant adverse effect on the repair site overall. Crews have been able to safeguard the progress on the south end of the slide which includes the fill area established to support the new roadway alignment.

At the north end of the slide, a temporary catchment area has served to safeguard the future alignment of the roadway from stormwater and runoff. 

Like much of the Big Sur coast, the ground at the repair site is saturated and there continues to be evidence of slide activity. However, at the conclusion of recent rain events crews have been able to return to full production.

Looking forward, repairs at Paul’s Slide will continue to be affected by site conditions and weather. In the event of slide activity, crews will need to pivot to react to those conditions which would necessarily take away from time devoted to repair work. Additional rain this winter will also detract from active repair production days.

However, crews will continue to work seven days a week and the estimated date for a full reopening of Highway 1 at Paul’s Slide continues to be late spring of 2024.

Highway 1 remains open for travel from the Monterey/Carmel area to .6 miles south of the town of Lucia, and from the Cambria/San Simeon area north, to just south of Limekiln State Park. No vehicle, bicycle, or pedestrian traffic is permitted across the repair site at Paul’s Slide due to construction activities and the potential for slides and rockfall.

Road information and updates can also be found on Caltrans District 5 Social Media platforms: Twitter at: @CaltransD5, Facebook at: Caltrans Central Coast (District 5) and Instagram at: Caltrans_D5.

*****************************************************************************************

Yesterday, Rich Veum at the Hermitage sent me this, but I just got it this am. Thanks, Rich and Johnny!

“Good morning! In case you haven’t heard, this slide occurred this morning about a mile north of big Creek. Described by Caltrans as an active slide according to our cook Johnny Blunt. The photo is from him also. Crews responding but no ETA on clearing.” Now let me catch up on what has happened the last three days in the world and Big Sur, and I’ll be back with anything noteworthy.