Tag: Big Sur

Storm, 11/29/12

4:00 pm – I got a 1/10th of an inch today, bringing the season total to 4.6″. It just started POURING here! Fortunately, I had already got all the fur kids inside to feed them. Got so dark about an hour ago, I turned on a light, filled a couple of oil lamps and lit them, and put another log on the fire for the evening. I love reading on my iPad – don’t need a separate light! I have found that if I run my genie for about an hour a day during these “no sun days” I have power for at least 24 hours, if I am judicious. I haven’t pushed it to see how long the power lasts, just run it every afternoon for an hour. What a great system!

I have been monitoring the CHP site on and off all day, and so far, no serious issues on Highway One, at least here in Big Sur, although I am sure CT has had their hands full.

10 am – here is the latest satellite photo, courtesy of Dave Allan

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Here is the latest NEXRAD

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As we all know, significant rain expected tonight through Sunday, per NOAA. Looks like we will get a break during the day today, although I got a bit of rain about an hour ago.

Also, the latest Rocky Creek update (#7) provides the usual closures next week, Sunday through Thursday, 9 pm-7am. For visuals of the bents being installed, scroll down a couple of posts.

Storm, 11/28/12

NOTE – I have no clue why all my links categories disappeared and everything is lumped together as “bookmarks.” I am trying to rectify. Sorry for the inconvenience! An hour later, they reappeared just as mysteriously as they disappeared. Cyber goblins, clearly!

2 pm – the only “known” casualty at my place, so far, and I haven’t checked much, is my front screen door. It is in tatters. I don’t believe my wind gauge. It has been far stronger than 35 mph. Checking automatic sites in the area, those gauges are reporting much higher winds. Santa Cruz County is not fairing very well. Every time I check the CHP website there is another road closure due to downed trees or power lines, even one that sparked a vegetation fire. Hang in there everyone!

11am – 24″ tree down on 68 near Morse Blvd. blocking the EB lane.

Up here, I woke at 3 am to heavy winds. By dawn, they were quite impressive, and have remained so. The rain began just after 8 am. I was both a Curved Bar Girl Scout and a WAC. I have been trained to “Be Prepared.” I think I am. I sit in front of a roaring fire, with plenty of wood on hand.

In checking my usual sites, I see there is already a tree branch impeding traffic at Point Lobos, but should be removed shortly. Probably just the first of many, given the winds. Also NOAA is reporting that 4-8″ of rain is expected by Sunday in Big Sur and Los Padres. I’ll probably be on the 8″ side, but haven’t checked, yet. Later, when there is a break.

Wind is averaging about 25-27 mph per my gauge, with gusts of 35 mph. That’s between 10-11 am.

Be safe, be aware, and be careful out there. I am staying put!

Here is the NEXRAD radar:

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Rocky Creek Viaduct update with photos

Below is an update I received today from one of the inspectors at the Rocky Creek jobsite:

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“CIDH piles for bents 3, 4, 5 an 6 are complete. Contractor is currently working at bent 2 pile. The average production rate for the piles is still approximately 1 pile per week. However, bent 2 pile may take longer as drilling can only be performed during the night under full closure due to space constrains. Placement of the piles is on schedule.”
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I have attached a photo below that illustrates this information:

(See attached file: Updated drilling locations.JPG)

Also, I’m going to be on a Monterey TV program tomorrow discussing the Rocky Creek project as well as the Pitkins Rock Shed project. Not sure if you can get this program where you are but I thought I’d mention it. Below is a link to more information.

http://montereytelevision.com/YourTown.htm

Have a good day!

Ken

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Also, here is a photo of a bridge showing the part labeled “the bent.”

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Batten down the hatches!

Starting Wednesday, and continuing for 5 days, a significant series of storms is progged to hit our area. I am running down to Cambria to stock up on more dog food, gas for the genie to back up the solar system, and wine … Priorities, you know. Tomorrow will be at home prep, bringing in firewood, securing all that I can, as some of theses storms will bring gusty winds, as well.

FWIW, CT was doing some work at Mud Creek, cleaning up the usual mess. This could be interesting. 15″ predicted in the North Bay, 4-8 inches down our way.

Current Radar

Rain started here about 4:50 pm, thus far, it is gentle.

Here is the current radar pic. It isn’t raining where I am, but Big Sur Valley may be getting a few sprinkles.

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Looks like there is a bit more coming.

Rocky Creek Update #4

MONTEREY COUNTY – Daytime roadwork continues from 7am to 5 pm next Tuesday, Nov. 13 through Friday, Nov. 16. Overnight closures of Highway 1 at Rocky Creek (Mile Marker 59.5) are scheduled for four nights next week from Monday Nov. 12 through Thursday, Nov. 15 from 9 pm to 7 am each night.

Weather, road repair, and photos

First, could the weather be any more beautiful? But watch for a major change. According to several reports, I could have a sprinkling of snow by Friday morning – so time to stock my wood box, while the weather is so wonderful.

“The rain won’t be widespread, with most of the shower activity developing along the coastal mountains where snow levels will drop to 2,500 feet by Friday morning. Modest accumulations
of snow (2- and 4-inches) are possible Friday across the Sierra foothills with a dusting also possible in the coastal mountains of the Central Coast.”

And this is the view that greeted me at the bottom of my road

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Then I got to Alder Creek … You know the place, where that major slide happened? Was that just last year? Anyway, Cal Trans has put netting up along the whole slide, but was working it again. I stopped and took these two photos … Note the draping, the rock-catching drapery walls, and the two climbers in the bright yellow on the left.

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Further down the road, the new chip sealing between the lighthouse and elephant seal beach was tying up traffic for 15-20 minutes. At least there was cell phone signal, so I could check email, surf (which I had not been able to do since Sat am at home) and all I had missed for a day and a half, so the time went by pretty fast.

And it is raining, again!

Yesterday, I ended the day with .40 of an inch, and today, around 4 o’clock, it started up again. Dogs and cats are inside, we are settled down for the night, and hoping I have enough battery power left in my solar system to run a light and a tv, later, when the one signal from Bakersfield starts coming in, again – usually around 7 pm or so. I have had so much sun all the time since I got my system in late spring, I have no idea how long the system will last with no sun. I got none today, but yesterday, it came in and out, so I haven’t a clue … Nor do I know how to read my fancy-smancy system to know how much battery power I have left, so will just be judicious in my use of power tonight. That’s now on my list of things to learn – my system, and how to read it!

I missed the sound of a gentle rain on my roof – the sweaters and cuddling under the down – the sound of a fire crackling and spitting at me. I have missed the smell of wet earth, and the silence that lies under the sound of rain. I have missed the sounds and smells of fall and winter, and the slower, quieter pace that comes with the shortness of days. It is good to have it back.

BTW, bigsurdeb notified me there was an error on the viaduct project website, of which I then notified Cal Trans. Hopefully, it has been corrected, but the current overnight closures are still scheduled to begin Sunday, October 14th at 9 pm.

Health Clinic Fair

Big Sur Health Center Health Fair
Tuesday, October 9, 2012

The Big Sur Health Center Annual Health Fair is this Tuesday, October 9, at the Health Center between noon and 5 pm. We have all the free services listed below to help you stay healthy. There will be raffle prizes and healthy food to try including the ever popular smoothies. We hope to see you on Tuesday!

Services Provided Free
Cholesterol and Blood Sugar Testing
Dietitians to Provide Cholesterol and Diabetes Education
Bloodmobile
Flu Shots
Blood Pressure Testing
Lung Function Screening
Acupuncture
Dental screening by the new dentist
Representatives from the breast care center and stroke center
Information on GMO labeling
Healthy Food

So, how hot is it?

It may be October 2nd, but we have been reaching record temperatures, every where … The coast is no longer my refuge. It hit 102 at Ventana Restaurant, yesterday, and 95 in the valley, at the State Park. It was over 105 up here, although I spent the day on the Peninsula, running errands. It was about the same today, although I was in Cayucos and Cambria, where it was also hot. I read that it is to cool down considerably tomorrow and the rest of the week. I would settle for it cooling down at night!

So, how hot has it been where you are?