From Cal Trans:

***NEW INFORMATION***

State Route 1 is now closed between Ragged Pt. (SLO 72.87) and Nepenthe (Mon 44).
I Motorists may travel north on State Route 1 from Cambria to Ragged Point (SLO PM 72.87) or south from Carmel to Nepenthe’s (PM 44)

The roadway is not passable, including to locals, between Ragged Pt (SLO 72.87)and Nepenthe (PM 44)

6:37 pm – [46] [Notification] [CHP]-AMBER WITH CT ON LL WITH UPDATES- INSTEAD OF MM45 IT’S MM 44 WHICH IS NEPENTHE RDWY WILL BE CLOSED THERE.

Meredith Gafill confirms the above.

I know, I have published WAY to may posts today, so I hope this is the last.
* Flood Warning for…
Western Monterey County in central California…

* Until 1115 PM PST Tuesday

* At 509 PM PST, the automated gauge at the Big Sur River indicated
the river is above flood stage. Moderate to briefly heavy rain
will continue through this evening over the warned area,
the flood warning is valid through 11:15 pm PST.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A Flood Warning means that flooding is imminent or occurring. All
interested parties should take necessary precautions immediately.

2:30 pm – from Cal Trans:

Photo of Cow Cliffs (PM 28.35) this afternoon—courtesy of CHP.

The inclement weather continues to give us more slides at multiple locations, the newest and largest came overnight at Cow Cliffs (PM 28.35), but additional small slides between Cow Cliffs and south of Fuller’s [Grimes Canyon, a little over a mile south of Deetjen’s] (PM 42), require closure to extend to Fuller’s [Grimes Canyon] until further notice.
***NEW INFORMATION***
State Route 1 is now closed between Ragged Pt. (SLO 72.87) and Fuller’s [Grimes Canyon] (Mon 42).
I Motorists may travel north on State Route 1 from Cambria to Ragged Point (SLO PM 72.87) or south from Carmel to Fuller’s [Grimes Canyon](PM 42).
I We are dealing with many challenges/new slide activity, the biggest being at:
o At Cow Cliffs (PM 28.35), where a new slide is still very active and will not be touched until it’s settled. It may take several days to be able to safely open up a lane and be accessible to locals/motorists.
o There is more slide material at Paul’s Slide (PM 21.6)
o Also more slide material at Mud Creek (PM 8.8). One-way reversing traffic control with flaggers at Mud Creek has been suspended until the highway can be cleared.
I ONLY LOCALS may travel north during DAYTIME HOURS from Ragged Pt. to Limekiln (PM 21.3)

The roadway is not passable, including to locals, between PAUL’S SLIDE (PM 21.6) and COW CLIFFS(PM 28.35).

Thank you for your patience and understanding. Our Maintenance, Geotech and Construction crews continue to work collaboratively and diligently, as much as safely possible in response to these rock/mudslides.

Another update will be provided on around mid-morning tomorrow, Wednesday, Feb. 8, or sooner if conditions change.

Susana Z. Cruz nature-flower-blue-motif[1]
Caltrans District 5
Acting Manager
Public Information Office
**************************************************

2 pm – Per CHP website – I have not heard from CT PIO yet on this, but will post here when I do. MM 42 is Grimes Canyon, is 1 mile south of Deetjen’s.

12:39 PM 4 [20] N6 – SPEAKING WITH DOT SUPERVISOR THE HARD CLOSURE MOVED TO MM 42

Just received from MoCo:

“This is a notification from Alert Monterey County:
This message is being sent to areas at greatest risk for flash flooding. The National Weather Service has issued a FLASH FLOOD WARNING for your area.

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.”

Pix of mud/slide activity at: 1) Mud Creek (PM 8.8); 2) Paul’s Slide (PM 21.06) and 3 and 4) Cow Cliffs (PM 28.35), last picture was taken from the south, courtesy of Esalen.

The inclement weather continues to give us various slides at multiple locations, the newest and largest came overnight at Cow Cliffs (PM 28.35)
***NEW INFORMATION***
State Route 1 remains closed between Ragged Pt. (SLO 72.87) and Dolan Pt. (Mon 29.70).
I Motorists may travel north on State Route 1 from Cambria to Ragged Point (SLO PM 72.87) or south from Carmel to Dolan Point (29.70).
I We are dealing with many challenges/new slide activity, the biggest being at:
o At Cow Cliffs (PM 28.35), where a new slide is still very active and will not be touched until it’s settled. It may take several days to be able to safely open up a lane and be accessible to locals/motorists.
o There is more slide material at Paul’s Slide (PM 21.6)
o Also more slide material at Mud Creek (PM 8.8). One-way reversing traffic control with flaggers at Mud Creek has been suspended until the highway can be cleared.
I ONLY LOCALS may travel north during DAYTIME HOURS from Ragged Pt. to Limekiln (PM 21.3)

The roadway is not passable, including to locals, between PAUL’S SLIDE (PM 21.6) and COW CLIFFS(PM 28.35).

Thank you for your patience and understanding. Our Maintenance, Geotech and Construction crews continue to work collaboratively and diligently, as much as safely possible in response to these rock/mudslides.

Another update will be provided on around tomorrow, Wednesday, Feb. 8 afternoon, or sooner if conditions change.

Susana Z. Cruz
Caltrans District 5
Acting Manager
Public Information Office

I want everyone of you who are complaining about the closures, putting pressure on Cal Trans to keep the road open for locals and particularly for the tourists during the AT& T, or otherwise whining, to study these two photos taken less than a day apart from the same spot – compare the guardrail on the west side of the highway if you don’t believe me. This job is EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. Top is Monday, Feb. 6, 2107. Bottom is before dawn, Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2017. NO ONE’s life is worth keeping this road open when Mother Nature is throwing all these storms at us. Also, think about if this had given way while you were headed off to work on the north coast at the moment you went underneath. It can happen. Think, people!

There’s a new slide just north of Big Creek (PM 28ish), requiring the road to close all day at the North End at Dolan’s (29.70).

There is also rock and mud at Mud Creek (8.8), requiring the morning closure at Ragged Pt (SLO 72.87)…as soon as our crews can get that cleaned up, I’ll notify everyone.

Thanks for your understanding; be safe out there.

–Susana

Photo below of Mud Creek (8.8) this morning.

February 6, 2017

For your information: Monterey County Public Works will be removing the temporary bridge at on Palo Colorado Canyon Road at Rocky Creek later today, after 4:30 this afternoon due to the upcoming stormy weather. The bridge may not be replaced until at least Friday, February 10th.

The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Watch which includes the Monterey Bay region. A prolonged period of moderate to locally heavy rain is expected across the north bay and along the coastal ranges of the central coast from late tonight into Tuesday. The combination of saturated soils and heavy rainfall will result in excessive runoff into area streams and rivers as well as localized flash flooding.