From Runner’s World, the last time there was a slip out in March of 2011 not too far from the current slip out: “The 2011 course was out-and-back, starting and finishing at the Crossroads in Carmel, veering off to Point Lobos State Park for one portion.” But at this point, they are awaiting word from Caltrans on Friday after this storm to determine how or if the course needs to be altered. Right now, all options are on the table, including running the original course. For further discussion on this issue see yesterday’s story in Runner’s World: https://www.runnersworld.com/news/a60385647/big-sur-marathon-course-collapse/

MONTEREY COUNTY– Travelers are reminded that due to rain in the forecast, daily convoy passage on Highway 1 will be cancelled for Thursday April 4, and Friday April 5, at the repair site south of the Rocky Creek Bridge.

Crews will be on site during all rain events to inspect for any changes in site conditions.

Convoys are expected to resume on Saturday April 6, at 8 am.  Engineers will continue to monitor the site for any significant changes and the public will be advised of any modifications to this schedule.

During the 8 am convoy window today, crews counted 157 vehicles passing through in the northbound direction with 165 vehicles passing by in the southbound direction.

This week crews added gravel to the drainage ditch off the shoulder of the northbound lane to ensure that it is able to continue to provide drainage through the site. Crews were also able to place fabric down and pave over the gravel-filled ditch and part of the dirt shoulder of the northbound lane to gain extra room in the travel lane.

Crews are continuing to focus on strategies to stabilize the edge of the roadway and work will continue once the rain event passes.

Updates on the status of the closure of Highway 1 at the Rocky Creek Bridge will be provided as more information becomes available. 

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.

An Open Letter to the Big Sur Community:

On March 30^th, my daughter and I were among those trapped in the Highway One Rocky Creek Slip Out. This letter is written with the hope that our overwhelming gratitude is communicated to all those in Monterey County and the Big Sur Community who took such wonderful care of us and other visitors, during this Saturday night and Easter Sunday.

Starting at 4 PM on Saturday, as we were finishing a late lunch at Nepenthe, we were informed of the slippage and road closure in both directions. In the early hours, all anyone knew was we were stuck in the area for at least the night and much more likely, for a few days or even more. Talk of possible helicopter rescues and walk throughs were added to the mix of possibilities.

Needless to say, we were scared and unsure what to do, as all of our possessions were at the Pine Inn in Carmel. We made our way to the General Store at the Big Sur River Inn and stocked up on essentials, such as water and sweatshirts to stay warm and hydrated. With our cell phones draining as we made calls to find a room and to your amazing Big Sur Public Emergency department, my daughter asked to charge her cell phone at the River Inn front desk, and they willingly agreed. That led to an amazing connection with what has to be the most comforting General Manager at the River Inn, Colin Twohig. He listened as we explained our situation and reassured us that the community was set up to help us and not to worry. We sat on a couch at the rear of their restaurant, and he introduced us to Rafi, an employee of the Inn and a firefighter in the area. He told us that his neighbor, Melina Mara, had a small cabin room to offer us overnight. Her hospitality and kindness was beyond our imagination. After a scary drive up a long, dark, and winding road, we hunkered down for the night. In the morning, she invited us up to her main house, made coffee, offered food and comfort, and assured us she would be letting us know of any developments as soon as they happened.

And soon they did! At around 11 AM, she let us know there would be a convoy of cars allowed to leave on the Northbound lane starting at noon. We left immediately and lined up around nine miles south of the slip point. At exactly noon, the line began slowly moving forward and by about 1 PM, we passed the danger spot where seemingly, a bite had been taken out of the southbound lane. Our joy and sense of gratitude simply exploded!

The coordination of so many groups and the number of people in your amazing community who came together on a Sunday to help others is an inspiration to us and should be a model for any neighborhood across America in what caring for others looks like! The Pine Inn in Carmel held our room and Annette at the Front Desk stayed in contact with us and welcomed us with open arms when we returned. The California Highway Patrol, the Big Sur Fire Department, the Community Association of Big Sur, and the Monterey County Sheriff’s department had dozens of personnel stationed on the road directing traffic and assessing the situation. CalTrans5 updated their website as often as they could and the hospitality industry in the area set up a conference room for anyone who needed to stay warm at the Big Sur Lodge. So many and hotels offered discount or free rooms to those in need. 

This is a community filled with people who opened their hearts and pocketbooks to make a tenuous situation bearable for strangers and we now have a renewed sense of gratitude and appreciation for the importance of helping others whenever possible. 

All of your kindnesses will never be forgotten!

Melinda and Kelsey Kopp

Evacuation Warning Now in Effect for Areas of Big Sur South of Rocky Creek

The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has issued an Evacuation Warning for areas of the Big Sur Community south of the Highway 1 Rocky Creek Slip out (Post Mile 29.5 [SIC] SHOULD BE 60) to the Dolan Slide (Post Mile 29.5) ahead of the forecasted showers and thunderstorms.

Residents may evacuate via Highway 1 to the north during the last convoy at 4 PM, on Wed, April 3prior to a full road closure at the Rocky Creek Slip out. If you are in an Evacuation Warning Zone, consider leaving before the road closure. The road is anticipated to be closed for several days until the weather event passes through the area. If you feel unsafe, medically fragile, or are unprepared to be isolated for several days, leave immediately. Forecasted storms may cause additional damage along Highway 1.

Emergency Medical Services may be unable to evacuate patients beyond the road closures. Those experiencing an emergency medical condition may be unable to leave the area to access hospitals or other medical services. Medically fragile individuals are encouraged to gather their medications along with any needed medical equipment and evacuate the area. Check with your neighbors to ensure they have been made aware of this alert. Monitor local media and social media. Call 9-1-1 if you have a life-threatening emergency.

Alerts: alertmry.org/alerts

More Info: alertmry.org/rockycreek

Date:	Tuesday, April 2, 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 #4

HIGHWAY 1 CONVOYS THROUGH ROCKY CREEK CANCELLED

THURSDAY AND FRIDAY DUE TO FORECASTED RAIN

MONTEREY COUNTY– Due to rain in the forecast, daily convoy passage on Highway 1 will be cancelled for Thursday April 4, and Friday April 5, at the repair site south of the Rocky Creek Bridge.

Crews will be on site during all rain events to inspect for any changes in site conditions.

Convoys are expected to resume on Saturday April 6, at 8 am.  Engineers will continue to monitor the site for any significant changes and the public will be advised of any modifications to this schedule.

Note: Convoy access is limited to residents and essential workers only. The reduction of vehicles through the repair site is part of risk management efforts. These convoys are intended for essential travel only.

Engineering and construction crews continue their assessments of the slip out. In the coming days crews will place concrete barriers along 500 feet of the centerline of the roadway. Crews are focusing on strategies for stabilizing the edge of the roadway.

Updates on the status of the closure of Highway 1 at the Rocky Creek Bridge will be provided as more information becomes available. 

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.

Date:	Monday, April 1, 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 #3

CREWS CONTINUE TO ASSESS HIGHWAY 1 SLIPOUT NEAR ROCKY CREEK

FORECASTED RAIN MAY LEAD TO CANCELLATION OF CONVOYS

MONTEREY COUNTY– Caltrans engineers continue to assess a slip out of the roadway on Highway 1 just south of the Rocky Creek Bridge. The initial slip out and closure of the road took place on the afternoon of Saturday March 30.

Crews are continuing to gather information at the site which will inform next steps to stabilize the edge of the roadway and design a permanent repair. In the next several days crews will place 500 feet of concrete barriers along the centerline of the roadway. This will help define a channel for convoy vehicles to pass through and will provide protection for workers working on repairs.

Convoys are scheduled in the north and southbound directions through the repair site at 8 am and 4 pm daily. These convoys are operating under close supervision by engineers at the site. As announced earlier, convoys will be cancelled due to any observed change in site conditions and due to wet weather.

The forecast or the Big Sur coast calls for possible rain in the coming days. An update will be provided should there be a need to cancel convoys later this week.

Updates on the status of the closure of Highway 1 at the Rocky Creek Bridge will be provided as more information becomes available. 

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.

Taken late Easter morning by Chris Gularte of Specialized Aviation.

Subject: Re: URGENT RELEASE 4

The County of Monterey is asking for the cooperation of visitors and residents to avoid the Big Sur Area entirely. State Hwy 1 is CLOSED at Palo Colorado. Only residents with proof of residency will be allowed in with CHP/Caltrans Escorts. The road conditions are not safe and we need to keep traffic to a minimum for our first responders and emergency personnel. 

Nicholas M. Pasculli (He/Him)County Communications DirectorChief Public Information OfficerCounty Administrative Office