Month: February 2024

NWS Weather – next storm series

Here is a start to this discussion, which might run for a day or two — a graphic from NWS-SF Bay:

I will be adding to this post thru Saturday, in all likelihood.

Rockslides, Convoys, and other Road Conundrums

Caltrans and contracted crews have continued this week to make onsite assessments at two recent slides on Highway 1 in Monterey County on the Big Sur coast.

The first recent slide occurred Thursday Feb. 8 at Post Mile 29.5 and is known as the Dolan Point Slide. The second and larger slide took place on the evening of Friday Feb. 9 at Post Mile 27.8. and is referred to as the Regent Slide. These two slides are north of an existing closure due to repairs being made at Paul’s Slide at Post Mile 22.

Highway 1 remains open for travel from the Monterey/Carmel area to Post Mile 29.7, some 2.7 miles south of the Esalen Institute. Highway 1 is also open from the Cambria/San Simeon area to just south of Limekiln State Park at PM 20.

Repairs

Both the Dolan Point and Regent Slide occurred at locations where the roadway is adjacent to steep slopes on the inland side with a severe drop off on the ocean side. The Dolan Point Slide is still active. At the Regent Slide, water is running down the face of the slope. Repair designs are being formulated for both slides.

At each of these locations, undermined material that is perched on the slope above the roadway could release at any time, making for unsafe working conditions at the toe of the slide. Material will have to be removed from the top down. If rain brings down perched material, it may expedite this process. Additionally, site conditions may evolve during forecasted rain events over the next seven to ten days which may impact the date when crews can begin full-fledged repairs.

Once dry conditions return, it is estimated that it will take one month to stabilize the slope, clear debris, and reopen Highway 1 at the Dolan Point Slide. In the weeks following the reopening, crews will return to install protective drapery system on the slope above the roadway, under one-way traffic control.

There is no estimated date for a reopening of Highway 1 at the Regent Slide. Once assessments are complete and a repair design is formulated, an update will be provided regarding an estimated reopening date.

Convoys

Since Sunday Feb. 11, Caltrans has conducted twice a day convoys for residents living south of the Dolan Point and Regent Slides and north of Paul’s Slide. Convoys have traveled through Paul’s Slide in the north and southbound direction at 8 amand 3 pm each day. These convoys have been arranged so that local residents can travel south through Paul’s Slide to secure supplies now that travel to the north is blocked by the Dolan Point and Regent Slides. Because passage through Paul’s Slide is by way of a dirt roadbed, convoys can only be permitted when site conditions are in good order and safe for travel.

Due to rain which is forecasted in the area over the next several days, daily convoys will be cancelled from Saturday Feb. 17 through Thursday Feb. 22. After Thursday Feb. 22, the determination about whether convoy passage is possible will be made on a day-to-day basis based on weather and site conditions.

Dolan Point

Regent Slide

Caltrans Update and Photos of Slide South of Big Creek

Date:Saturday, February 10, 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

ADDITIONAL ROCKSLIDE ON HIGHWAY 1 WITHIN PERIMETER OF EXISTING CLOSURE/HIGHWAY 1 REMAINS CLOSED FROM NORTH OF KIRK CREEK CAMPGROUND TO NORTH OF THE BIG CREEK BRIDGE/CONVOYS FOR LOCALS BEGIN TOMORROW MORNING

MONTEREY COUNTY– Caltrans is responding to another landslide which occurred late yesterday on Highway 1 just south of the Big Creek Bridge at PM 27.8.

This latest slide is larger than the slide which occurred earlier this week with both slides located within the perimeter of the existing closure.  This newest slide has covered Highway 1 and has spilled onto the slope below the highway. It is not known if there is any damage to the highway.

As a result of these two new slides that have occurred in the past three days, the closure of Highway 1, previously located on each side of Paul’s Slide at Post Mile 22.0, is now located 1.7 miles north of the Big Creek Bridge at Post Mile 29.7 on the north end and one mile north of Kirk Creek Campground at Post Mile 19.9 on the south end. There is no estimated time for re-opening this section of the highway.

Highway 1 remains open for travel from the Monterey/Carmel area to six miles south of Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park and from the Cambria/San Simeon area north, to just north of Kirk Creek Campground. No vehicle, bicycle, or pedestrian traffic is permitted through the closure due to construction activities and the potential for slides and rockfall.

Caltrans and contracted crews are on site to assess conditions and will begin work at the new slide locations when it is safe to do so.  Work at Paul’s Slide continues seven days a week.

Caltrans is planning to accommodate passage through Paul’s Slide for residents located north of Paul’s Slide and south of the newest slides.  Convoys through Paul’s Slide will be scheduled daily at 8 am and 3 pm and allow for one passage each direction for locals or supplies for locals starting tomorrow, Sunday, Feb. 11 at 8 am.  Passage through Paul’s Slide will only be accommodated during times of clear, dry weather and conditions allow for safe travel through the site. With weather forecasts showing more winter conditions late next week, Residents are encouraged to stock up on supplies in anticipation of additional winter storms and the potential for no access during inclimate weather and conditions allow for safe travel through the site.  Residents are encouraged to stock up on supplies in anticipation of additional winter storms and the potential for constricted access.

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. 

New Slide Isolates Big Creek

This happened at 6:30 Pm, per Mark Readdie.

This is the one 1 mile north of Big Creek at Wing Gulch which happened Thursday.

Beautiful Sunny Sat

With another storm possible for next weekend, I am enjoying the clear, calm day. Keep an eye on the weather predictions and use this time to prepare, physically and mentally, for what could be coming our way.

I read on the Hermitage FB page that the slide north of Paul’s at Wing Gulch is predicted to take a month or so to clear, which leaves a number of people on an “island” again — Lucia, Hermitage, Point 16, Lopez Point, Big Creek, to name a few.

In the mean time, here are a few shots of the snow and hail we got earlier this week.

News & Reports, 2/9/24

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.

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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.

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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)

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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.

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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.

Weather & Road Reports, 2/5/24

Like yesterday, I will be updating this post throughout the day as conditions warrant.

4 pm – A tree fell on the campground host’s motorhome at Kirk Creek yesterday.

News from Paul’s Slide is that it is holding and there has been no new movment.

1:30 pm – The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has lifted the Shelter-In-Place for all areas of Pebble Beach effective immediately. Please be aware of your surroundings and changing conditions; use caution in these areas and obey all traffic control signs. Continue Monitoring local media, social media, and Nixle alerts for updates. Call 9-1-1 only if you have a life-threatening emergency. For more information visit: https://bit.ly/3Za0Xc0

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11 am – Here is current County of Monterey information about storm impact prevention and safety efforts.

Current emergency notifications:

Shelter-In-Place & Full Road Closure For Areas of Arroyo Seco West of Carmel Valley Rd.

Shelter-In-Place for Pebble Beach due to downed power lines, fallen trees, and road hazards

Road Hazards Advisory: Travel may be dangerous due to downed trees, power lines, or falling rocks.

Resources

Find current emergency notifications and location maps plus sign up for emergency notifications at: https://www.readymontereycounty.org/

Stay updated on current weather conditions and county information using the following trusted sites:

https://www.weather.gov/mtr/   – National Weather Service, Bay Area

https://www.facebook.com/NWSBayArea   – National Weather Service Bay Area Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/MontereyCoInfo/   – County of Monterey Facebook

https://www.readymontereycounty.org/emergency  – County of Monterey Department of Emergency Management Emergency Information and Prepardeness.

Resources for Residents:

  • Resource Centers are open today, February 5, 2024 for Monterey Peninsula residents still impacted by power outages. These centers are in collaboration with City of Monterey, City of Pacific Grove, City of Seaside, California State Parks, and Monterey County Free Libraries. Centers will offer a warm location, Wi-Fi, charging stations for residents to charge electronic and medical devices plus limited refrigeration for medications ONLY, water and snacks.

Asilomar Conference Center Social Hall          800 Asilomar Blvd, Pacific Grove

Monterey Public Library                                   625 Pacific Street, Monterey

County of Monterey Seaside Library                550 Harcourt Avenue, Seaside

  • The Carmel by the Sea Police Department has opened a Temporary Assistance Center at the Park Branch Library Monday February 5th, 2024 from 9am to 5pm for residents that may need to charge their phones, need a light snack, or receive storm resources and information.
  • The Temporary Evacuation Point at Carmel Valley Library, 65 W Carmel Valley Rd is open Monday, February 5th from 8am-8pm.

Additional Information:

• For flood prone areas, county sand stockpiles are being refreshed. Residents are encouraged to make sandbags as needed to protect their property. Find the sand stockpile and sandbag distribution locations near you at: https://www.co.monterey.ca.us/government/departments-i-z/public-works-facilities-parks/county-parks/storm-preparedness

• County road conditions are being continually updated, check   https://www.co.monterey.ca.us/government/departments-i-z/public\-works-facilities-parks/public-works/road-closures-information for latest information.

• PG&E reports 171 outages impacting 30,130 this morning. Stay up dated on outages by using the PG&E outage map at https://pgealerts.alerts.pge.com/outage-tools/outage-map/

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9:30 am – Advisory: Evacuation Orders lifted for all areas of Carmel River Effective Immediately & Until further Notice | Ordenes de Evacuacion levantadas …

Dear Nixle User,Evacuation Orders lifted for all areas of Carmel River Effective Immediately & Until further Notice | Ordenes de Evacuacion levantadas para las zonas del Río de Carmel en efecto inmediatamente The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has lifted the Evacuation Orders for all areas of the Carmel River effective immediately and until further notice. Please be aware of your surroundings and changing conditions; use caution in these areas and obey all traffic control signs. Continue monitoring local media, social media, and Nixle alerts for updates. Call 9-1-1 only if you have a life-threatening emergency. For more information visit: bit.ly/3Za0Xc0

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9:15 am – Advisory: Carmel-By-The-Sea: Temporary Assistance Center at the Park Branch Library | Centro de Asistencia Temporal en la Biblioteca del Parque

Dear Nixle User,The Carmel by the Sea Police Department has opened a Temporary Assistance Center at the Park Branch Library due to the power outage affecting the city. The Temporary Assistance Center will be open Monday February 5th, 2024 from 9am to 5pm for residents that may need to charge their phones, need a light snack, or receive storm resources and information. For questions call 831-624-6403 Map: bit.ly/3Za0Xc0

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8 am – Fortunately, while it is raining, the wind seems to be gone.

“BIG SUR, CALIF. (KION-TV) – Roads heading into the Big Sur coast are closed due to multiple issues related to the recent storm.

According to Cal Trans, a full closure is in place from Yankee Point Post Mile 67.9 to Andrew Molera State Park at PM 51.2 due to downed trees and power lines. Officials say repair work will begin first thing Monday morning.”

We know that the highlands was a mess of downed trees, power lines, as were many places through out the peninsula, but in addition to the above, people couldn’t get into Big Sur itself, as this was just north of River Inn:

Photo by Vincent, Maintenance at Fernwood

Weather Report, Sunday 2/4/24

As with yesterday, I will be updating this throughout the day.

Advisory: Shelter-In-Place In Effect for Pebble Beach Until Further Notice | Quedarse en casa en efecto para Pebble Beach hasta nuevo aviso

Dear Nixle User,The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has issued a Shelter-In-Place in effect for Pebble Beach due to downed power lines, fallen trees, and road hazards until further notice. Monitor local media, social media, and Nixle alerts for updates. Call 9-1-1 if you need to be evacuated for a life-threatening emergency. To view an Evacuation Map: https://bit.ly/3Za0Xc0 

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I have no further details on this, nor have I heard from anyone. Be safe out there. The roads are unsafe.

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Here is current County of Monterey information about storm impact prevention and safety efforts. New information is highlighted in yellow.

We will update information as needed.

Current emergency notifications: 

Evacuation Warning for areas of Bolsa Knolls 

Evacuation Warnings Upgraded to Evacuation Orders for areas of Carmel River 

Shelter-In-Place & Full Road Closure For Areas of Arroyo Seco West of Carmel Valley Rd.

Resources

Find current emergency notifications and location maps plus sign up for emergency notifications at: https://www.readymontereycounty.org/

Stay updated on current weather conditions and county information using the following trusted sites:

https://www.weather.gov/mtr/ – National Weather Service, Bay Area

https://www.facebook.com/NWSBayArea – National Weather Service Bay Area Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/MontereyCoInfo/ – County of Monterey Facebook

https://www.readymontereycounty.org/emergency – County of Monterey Department of Emergency Management Emergency Information and Prepardeness.

Additional Information:

  • A Temporary Evacuation Point has been established at Carmel Valley Library,  65 W Carmel Valley Rd, today and tomorrow from 8am-8pm.
  • Dangerous winds conditions throughout today. Take precautions to protect your home and property. Winds can significant problems such as:
  • Difficult driving conditions for high profile vehicles.
  • Loose or unsecured objects may be blown away.
  • Temporary fences and structures may be damaged or destroyed.
  • Downed trees in roads and forested residential areas
  • Downed power lines and prolonged power outages
  • Laureles Grade Road north of Miramonte: one lane closed due to mudslide. Traffic control in place. Expect delays
  • Carmel CERT, California Conservation Corps (small contingent) and National Guard ( small contingent) are assisting County Public Works efforts building a sandbag flood wall along the Carmel River at Dampierre Park in Carmel Valley.
  • Due to the rapidly changing storm conditions, all County of Monterey day-use parks and the Laguna Seca Rifle and Pistol Range will remain closed Sunday, February 4, 2024, and will reopen when conditions allow. The closure will include Toro, Jacks Peak, Manzanita, Royal Oaks, and San Lorenzo Parks.  

for latest information.

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Advisory: Shelter-In-Place & Full Road Closure For Areas of Arroyo Seco West of Carmel Valley Rd. | Refugio en el lugar y cierre total de camino …

Dear Nixle User,The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has issued a Shelter-In-Place and Full Road Closure in effect for areas of Arroyo Seco Rd and tributary roads west of Carmel Valley Rd until further notice. There is mass movement of falling rock above Arroyo Seco Rd with potential for additional slope failure. A Full Road closure is in place at the slide on Arroyo Seco Rd (west of Carmel Valley Rd) Check with your neighbors to ensure they have been made aware of this alert. Monitor local media, social media, and Nixle alerts for updates. Call 9-1-1 if you need to be evacuated for a life-threatening emergency. To view an Evacuation Map: bit.ly/3Za0Xc0 

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Advisory: Updated: Evacuation Warnings Upgraded to Evacuation Orders for areas of Carmel River Effective Immediately & Until further Notice | Ad …

Dear Nixle User,The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has upgraded Evacuation Warnings to Evacuation Orders for low-lying areas of the Carmel River effective immediately and until further notice. The Evacuation Order includes areas of the Carmel River near Camp Steffani, Lower Robles Del Rio, Paso Hondo, Garzes, lower Shulte Rd. If you are in an Evacuation Order Zone quickly and calmly evacuate. Check with your neighbors to ensure they have been made aware of this alert. If you have large animals or need extra time to evacuate, now is the time to do so. Monitor local media, social media, and Nixle alerts for updates. Call 2-1-1 for information. Call 9-1-1 only if you have a life-threatening emergency. If you need animal sheltering, call the SPCA at 831-373-2631. For the SPCA after hours line call 831-646-5534. A Temporary Evacuation Point is located at the Carmel Valley Library from 8am-8pm, 2/4 through 2/5 (Sunday-Monday) To view an Evacuation Map: bit.ly/3Za0Xc0

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Here is current County of Monterey information about storm impact prevention and safety efforts. We will update information as needed.

Current emergency notifications: 

Evacuation Warning for areas of Bolsa Knolls 

Evacuation Warning for low lying areas near the Carmel River

Resources

Find current emergency notifications and location maps plus sign up for emergency notifications at: https://www.readymontereycounty.org/

Stay updated on current weather conditions and county information using the following trusted sites:

https://www.weather.gov/mtr/ – National Weather Service, Bay Area

https://www.facebook.com/NWSBayArea – National Weather Service Bay Area Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/MontereyCoInfo/ – County of Monterey Facebook

https://www.readymontereycounty.org/emergency – County of Monterey Department of Emergency Management Emergency Information and Prepardeness.

Additional Information:

  • Carmel CERT, California Conservation Corps (small contingent) and National Guard ( small contingent) are assisting County Public Works efforts building a sandbag flood wall along the Carmel River at Dampierre Park in Carmel Valley.
  • Due to the rapidly changing storm conditions, all County of Monterey day-use parks and the Laguna Seca Rifle and Pistol Range will remain closed Sunday, February 4, 2024, and will reopen when conditions allow. The closure will include Toro, Jacks Peak, Manzanita, Royal Oaks, and San Lorenzo Parks.  
  • County roads may be impacted by high winds, rain and falling trees or powerlines. County road conditions are being continually updated, check   https://www.co.monterey.ca.us/government/departments-i-z/public-works-facilities-parks/public-works/road-closures-information

for latest information.

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Local reports slide at MM39 near Coast Gallery. It is not listed on CHP but is reported on the county road map. (See link above or to the right.)

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Power out in many places, including at least parts of Big Sur Valley, if not all of it. At 8 am, wind gusts were recorded up here at my place at 60 mph. Rain totals at 8 am around the Big Sur Coast:

And traffic hazards all over the Monterey/Santa Cruz/San Benito areas. This is only 1/2 the listing that go back to 7:30 am: