5:30 pm from MCOES:
Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has issued an evacuation warning for areas downslope of the River Fire Burn Scar on River Rd effective immediately until further notice. These streets include, Berry Drive, Pine Canyon Rd, 800 Block of River Rd, Limekiln Rd, and Parker Rd. The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Watch for the River Fire Burn Scar area in effect February 18, 2024 beginning 4PM through Wednesday Morning.
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Noon: from MCOES:
The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has issued an Evacuation Warning for low lying areas of the Carmel River Community to go into effect immediately until further notice due to the incoming storm. If you are in an Evacuation Warning Zone prepare to leave. Be ready to leave if an Evacuation Order is issued. Gather essential items now to be ready to go. If you feel unsafe, do not wait for an evacuation order, leave immediately. Check with your neighbors to ensure they have been made aware of this alert. Those with large animals should leave now; For animal sheltering call the SPCA 831-373-2631. SPCA After Hours Line 831-646-5534. Monitor local media, social media, and Nixle alerts for updates. Call 9-1-1 only if you have a life-threatening emergency. To view an Evacuation Map: https://bit.ly/3Za0Xc0
The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Watch for the River Fire Burn Scar area in effect February 18th beginning 4PM through Wednesday Morning. Monitor forecasts and be prepared to take action should Flash Flood Warnings be issued. Do not wait for alerts or warnings if you feel that your life is in danger. Heavy rainfall could trigger flash flooding of low-lying areas, urbanized street flooding, and debris flows in and near recent wildfire burn scars. Flash Flood Watch: Be Prepared: A Flash Flood Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for a specific hazardous weather event to occur. A Flash Flood Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for flash flooding. It does not mean flash flooding will occur, but it is possible. National Weather Service: https://bit.ly/3OP9WvD”
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I drove up from the south Saturday before noon and all was well with the road at that point. By the time I pulled into Plaskett, it was raining. It persisted all the way up the mountain for the next hour with fog/low clouds also hindering visibility. Definitely a challenge, but we got home safely.
That was as of 1 pm Saturday afternoon, shortly after I got home. This next is what we received in the 24 hours ending at 6 am Sunday morning.
We had sunshine for a bit this am, although it has been quite chilly. Clouds are moving in for round two. I’ll add to this post later as the storm moves in if needed.
I’m glad you made it home safely from that drive! Stay well and safe, and as always, thank you!
4 PM Our radar is looking like the bulk is heading north of us in Santa Cruz, hoping it’s going to mostly miss Big Sur for a change. How does it actually seem up there? And yes, so glad you are home safely and your road held up.
Maura
Kate…Here is a question for your weather guy (or anyone smarter than me about these things). Why is it Mining Ridge that consistently gets more rain (often substantially more) rain than other areas?
With regards to the rainfall at the Mining Ridge weather station, here’s an interesting post:
https://xasauantoday.com/2012/12/03/mining-ridge/
Keith Vandervere has the answer for you. See the link by Tony above. Also, FYI, Rocky Butte in SLO Co, NE of Hearst Castle often is right up there with Mining Ridge as it was for this last storm — over 6”