Please see the attached revised Big Sur Multi-Agency Advisory Council (BSMAAC) Agenda for next Friday, February 28th at 10:00am, the agenda packet. The agenda was revised to make a minor edit to remove “none” next to “old business.”
We will be meeting in-person in the conference room at the Big Sur Lodge at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. The address is 47225 CA-1, Big Sur, CA 93920. We are hosting this meeting in-person as well as providing a zoom link for a webinar. The zoom link for the webinar function will allow you to join the meeting virtually or via telephone. As a webinar, participants on zoom can only listen and watch in real time but will not be able to have their video or audio on for the BSMAAC members or members of the public to see/hear. The link is included in the agenda and is listed below. We are in the process of hiring a new audio and visuals technician, so there may be some technical difficulties during this meeting as we are in transition, we greatly appreciate your patience and understanding during this time.
Please park down below near the Lodge and walk up the hill to the conference room. We are looking forward to gathering for this quarterly scheduled BSMAAC meeting!
SOLVANG, Calif.— Snow and rain across Los Padres National Forest have provided sufficient moisture to reduce fire restrictions on all of the districts effective immediately.
Under the reduced fire restrictions, campfires and charcoal barbeques will be allowed in all areas of the Forest. A California Campfire Permit is required to build a campfire outside of a designated Campfire Use Site. California Campfire Permits are available for free download from the Forest website (http://www.fs.usda.gov/lpnf). A list of Campfire Use Sites is available at all Forest offices.
Visitors who construct wood or charcoal fires outside of designated Campfire Use Sites also must clear all flammable material for a minimum of five feet in all directions; have a shovel available for preparing and extinguishing the fire; have a responsible person in attendance at all times; and extinguish the fire with water, using the “drown, stir and feel” method.
The following restrictions will remain in effect:
Spark arresters are required on all off-highway vehicles, chainsaws, and other internal combustion engines and equipment.
A permit is required for all welding, grinding, cutting, or use of explosives.
Tracer ammunition is prohibited at all times.
Fireworks are always prohibited in Los Padres National Forest.
Recreational target shooting is prohibited in all areas of Los Padres National Forest except for the Winchester Canyon Gun Club and the Ojai Valley Gun Club that operate under special use permits.
Campfires are always prohibited on National Forest System lands in the Santa Barbara Front Country from Gaviota to the Santa Barbara/Ventura County line.
Visitors are encouraged to call the Forest Supervisor’s Office or the local ranger station for more information on conditions and restrictions.
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 #30
TRAFFIC SWITCH AT ROCKY CREEK TO RESULT IN FULL OVERNIGHT CLOSURE OF HIGHWAY 1 STARTING THURSDAY, MARCH 6 AT 10 PM
MONTEREY COUNTY – Caltrans is continuing with emergency repairs to Highway 1 near the Rocky Creek Bridge, 12 miles south of Carmel. Caltrans previously stabilized and reinforced Highway 1 at this location after a March 30, 2024, slipout resulted in a loss of a section of the southbound lane.
During an upcoming full overnight closure, crews will switch travel on Highway 1 at Rocky Creek from the northbound lane over to the southbound direction.
This switch signals the completion of construction of the southbound viaduct structure and marks an important milestone in repairs at Rocky Creek. In upcoming months, crews will continue with repair work focused on construction of the northbound viaduct structure.
Full Overnight Closure for Traffic Switch Starts Thursday March 6 at 10 pm
Travelers will encounter a full closure of Highway 1 at Rocky Creek from Thursday, March 6, 2025, at 10 pm thru Friday, March 7 at 6 am.
Flaggers will begin intermittent traffic control with delays of up to 10 minutes at 8:00 pm before the full closure goes into effect.
The schedule for the traffic switch and full overnight closure is weather dependent. Updates will be provided to confirm or announce any changes to this schedule.
The estimate for completion of the Rocky Creek viaduct is summer 2025 and is dependent on conditions encountered during construction. The contractor for this project is Gordon N. Ball, Inc. of Walnut Creek, CA.
Travelers are reminded that over 100 miles of Highway 1 on the Big Sur coast remain open and accessible. Travelers from northern California will find easy access to historic bridges, waterfalls, restaurants, and lodging amenities.
Travelers from southern California will find that the highway brings them within reach of the unparalleled views, lodging amenities, and natural wonders of Lucia, the Camaldoli Hermitage, Gorda, Ragged Point, San Simeon, and Cambria.
Road information and updates can also be found on Caltrans District 5 Social Media platforms: X/Twitter at: @CaltransD5, Facebook at: Caltrans Central Coast (District 5) and Instagram at: Caltrans_D5.
Spend your day and your time with loved ones, family, and friends. I get to spend mine with Rock Knocker, who has a serious sweet tooth, so I bought him a box of chocolates.
And now, storm updates:
The worst is over, weather watchers are predicting. But look at the whopping numbers down on the South Coast of Big Sur for the 24 hours ending at 7 am this morning:
I’ve had one of those days: 1 and 1/2 hours waiting for AAA for a dead battery in one of many downpours — no internet, just my cell phone. So I am definitely behind on today’s reporting, but here is a start, but before we get to the warnings, here is Fern Canyon near Highway 1 in Carmel Highlands. There are roadways flooded all over the county. Be careful out there.
Message from Alert Monterey County:
The National Weather Service has issued multiple warnings affecting Monterey County:
Flood Advisory in effect through 10 PM Saturday – Urban and small stream flooding, shallow landslides, and possible river and flash flooding.
High Wind Warning in effect through 10 AM Friday – Expect strong winds.
Impacts: Downed trees and power lines, power outages, difficult travel conditions.
High Surf Warning from 3 PM Thursday – 3 AM Saturday – Dangerous surf conditions.
PREPARE & STAY SAFE • Avoid flooded areas and stay off the roads if possible. • Secure loose outdoor items. • Stay away from beaches and coastal areas. • Prepare for power outages and strong winds.
For updates, visit: alertmry.org
To opt out of emergency messages, visit: Alert.FAQ
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El Servicio Meteorológico Nacional ha emitido múltiples advertencias que afectan al condado de Monterey:
Aviso de inundaciones vigente hasta las 10 p. m. del sábado: inundaciones urbanas y arroyos pequeños, deslizamientos de tierra poco profundos y posibles inundaciones repentinas y de ríos.
Advertencia de vientos fuertes vigente hasta las 10 a. m. del viernes: se esperan vientos fuertes.
Impactos: árboles y líneas eléctricas derribadas, cortes de energía, condiciones difíciles para viajar.
Advertencia de oleaje fuerte desde las 3 p. m. del jueves hasta las 3 a. m. del sábado: condiciones peligrosas para el oleaje.
Impactos: condiciones para nadar que ponen en riesgo la vida, fuertes corrientes de resaca y erosión significativa de las playas.
PREPÁRESE Y MANTÉNGASE SEGURO
• Evite las áreas inundadas y manténgase fuera de las carreteras si es posible.
• Asegure los artículos sueltos al aire libre.
• Manténgase alejado de las playas y las áreas costeras.
• Prepárese para cortes de energía y vientos fuertes.
Para obtener actualizaciones, visite: alertmry.org
Para dejar de recibir mensajes de emergencia, visite: Alert.FAQ
To update your account and/or email settings, login here.
Evacuation Warning- Flooding
Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has issued an Evacuation Warning, effective immediately, due to the risk of flooding in Zones D057-C and D066-B. This affects areas along the Carmel River near Camp Steffani Rd, Wawona Rd, and Lower Paso Hondo. Zone C045-B. This affects areas along Santa Rita Creek in Bolsa Knolls, Salinas. Zone C040-B. This affects residents living along Ralph Lane in Prunedale.
Be ready to leave if an Evacuation Order is issued. Those needing extra time should consider evacuating now. If you feel unsafe, do not wait for an Evacuation Order, leave immediately.
To opt out of our messaging service, visit: alertmry.org/FAQ.|
La Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de Monterey ha emitido una advertencia de evacuación, con vigencia inmediata, debido al riesgo de inundaciones en las zonas D057-C y D066-B. Esto afecta las áreas a lo largo del río Carmel cerca de Camp Steffani Rd, Wawona Rd y Lower Paso Hondo. Zona C045-B. Esto afecta las áreas a lo largo del arroyo Santa Rita en Bolsa Knolls, Salinas. Zona C040-B. Esto afecta a los residentes que viven a lo largo de Ralph Lane en Prunedale.
Prepárese para irse si se emite una orden de evacuación. Aquellos que necesiten tiempo adicional deben considerar evacuar ahora. Si se siente inseguro, no espere una orden de evacuación, váyase de inmediato.
Para obtener información adicional, visite alertmry.org
Per NOAA/NWS: A Flood Watch has been issued for the coastal counties of Sonoma, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, and Monterey, in effect from 10 PM Wednesday to 10 PM Saturday. When all is said and done, most inland locations can expect 1.5 to 2.5 inches, less in rainshadowed valleys, and 3 to 6 inches in the Santa Cruz Mtns and Big Sur coastal range.
In addition to the rainfall, damaging winds are expected with the system, particularly along the coast and the ridgetops, with a High Wind Watch issued for the entire forecast region from 10 PM Wednesday to 10 AM Friday. Widespread gusts up to 60 mph range are possible, with potential gusts in the 70-80 mph range across the immediate coastline and the ridgetops on the coastal ranges. The combination of saturated soils and high winds will result in the increased possibility of downed trees and powerlines, leading to further damage and/or power outages. There is also a slight chance for thunderstorms Thursday afternoon
the near coastal waters from Point Pinos to Point Piedras Blancas in effect from 3PM Wednesday until 3PM Thursday.
*South winds 20 to 30 kt with gusts up to 45 kt and seas of 6-11ft expected
I know I have been MIA for a few weeks now, life has thrown me some curves so I wanted to share a photo I took tonight…also cuz I missed Photo Sunday AGAIN!!! BTW this sepiai created by nature, not me.
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
HIGHWAY 1 REOPENED BETWEEN RAGGED POINT AND GORDA
AFTER SLIDE REMOVAL
MONTEREY COUNTY – Highway 1 has reopened between Ragged Point in northern San Luis Obispo County and Gorda in southern Monterey County after a small slide was removed from the travel lanes. The slide was located in Monterey County two miles north the county line.
Crews were on scene at first light and cleared debris from the roadway which included a 5 ft. diameter boulder. Crews then inspected and assessed the remainder of the closure area before reopening the roadway.
With this reopening, travelers on Highway 1 will continue to have access to the communities of Lucia, Gorda, Ragged Point, San Simeon, and Cambria.
Road information and updates can also be found on Caltrans District 5 Social Media platforms: X/Twitter at: @CaltransD5, Facebook at: Caltrans Central Coast (District 5) and Instagram at: Caltrans_D5.
