Tag: rain

Links & Info, Soberanes Winter, Part II

From Peter Garin, on the Arroyo Seco side of the fire:
“I just got back from talking to a group of BAER’s…

First of all, I have to thank Tim Short, the Chief Ranger for the Los Padres National Forest (Ed note: District Ranger, Monterey District) and Judith Downing, Emergency Management Specialist for inviting me to the presentation on Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 19th. It was chaired by Kevin Cooper, the Los Padres BAER Team Coordinator.

It was one of the most, fast paced, concise, well organized meetings I’ve attended in a while. Although the first part of BAER study was presented on October 5th, in Big Sur which attended, the second part was presented and shared with various agencies that worked together on compiling the information as the fire was still being contained in Carmel Valley and Arroyo Seco. Now that the fire was contained they all rushed to get out the report that at the meeting was being presented and finalized. The report will then be distributed officially to all the various government agencies sometime next week. In short, I got a preview.

I got to see how the report was compiled by the experts who used satellite imagery, heat sensor maps, documentation from previous fires in the area, helicopter flights, and first hand “boots on the ground” staff inspections. The staff was compiled of geologists, hydrologists, erosion specialists, local Rangers, staff experts in roads, trails, archeology as well as cultural sites, botany and wildlife.

Without going into too much detail the following points emerged:

The brunt of fire is in the Carmel Valley and Big Sur Watersheds.

Every possible scenario has been considered concerning health and human safety.

Mapping and documentation was carefully calculated, and projections made on the best data possible.

Maps were created showing probable debris flow, volume of flow and the combined hazard of both.

Debris flow start when rain exceeds .05 inches in one hour even before soils are saturated.

Short, high intensity rains create the worst debris flows.

Constant vigilance over culverts, storm drains, key drainage points in trails and roads help immensely.

Preparation and organization mitigate most disasters.

Early warning systems that were just tested with the recent rain worked very well. (Ed Note: Some question re this, from what I heard, due to landlines down from storm)

Get advice before you try and implement erosion control yourself.

Experts can advise you on “Best practices”, and the NCRS will provide confidential advice for free.

Follow warnings. Pay attention to signage. Be sure you get the best advice possible, confirm the source.

There will be a meeting when the agencies have a chance to confer and will coordinate a date and time with Dee Heckman. The date and time will be announced.”

Season ending rains later this week?

As Paul H. Commented on yesterday’s post (please read), we have the potential of a storm with significant consequences heading this way. Here is what NOAA and the NWS had to say today:

“A more significant pattern change is expected to begin Thursday as a broad upper level trough approaches the region. This system is progged to tap into a plume of moisture over the Pacific with precipitable water values in excess of 1.5 inches. As this system approaches it will bring precipitation into northern Sonoma county Thursday afternoon and evening. While models have fallen into agreement on this there is still some disagreement with the timing and intensity of the rainfall for Friday. The Euro (ECMWF) is the more aggressive of the two models and brings rain as far south as the Monterey Bay Thursday night while the GFS keep rain changes north of the Golden Gate. The GFS appears to catch up to the Euro Friday night as it pushes the main rain band through the region. The Euro however remains the wetter of the two solutions.

Periods of moderate to locally heavy rain is anticipated Friday across the region. Heaviest precipitation is expected across the North Bay. Models indicate there will likely be a break the rain (GFS) or hit and miss showers (Euro) Saturday on the back side of the main frontal band. However a second round of showers is expected Sunday as the second boundary moves across the region. With a moist atmosphere in place the second boundary will have no trouble spreading widespread precipitation across the region. Rain is expected across the forecast area and will likely bring the season ending rains that the fires burning across the region have been waiting for.”

 

The Music of the Rain

3:35 pm – Nice downpour – 1.49″/hour. Gratefully received.

I came into my library with a cup of coffee to read. I turned on my replica 1930’s radio for music. I could almost hear the rain on the metal roof, but not well. I turned off the radio. I won’t have too many more opportunities for a while to listen to the music of the rain.

Rain total at end of day. I’m busy listening to the music of the rain.

Rain Report. 3/21/16

7:30 am – I was following the weather reports, but last night still took me by surprise. Last I’d read it was a 20% chance, and it would be only .10″ or less. Fooled me. By last night at 9:30 pm, I had .25″. Since midnight’s reset, I’ve had .30″ of rain. I have a 2 and 1/2 hour gap in my rain monitoring – again. Oh well. I mess up. None-the-less, probably somewhere around .6-.75″ total, but I’m guessing here. Tonight’s repeat is the same, only chances are 30%. Should be fun!

Paul’s Slide, MM 22, photos

The traveling public making it difficult for Cal Trans to keep up with road work. Photos by Brendon Shave.

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Road Conditions, 3/14/16

At 11:30 am I received this email:

“Just back from walking dogs @ Rocky Creek. Incident jno mm60 (which is just north of the new Rocky Creek viaduct) is entirely cleared. It looks to have been some stray branches from the Westmere cypress trees.” (Martha Diehl)

6:00 am – just got word from a local (sent t 12:30 am, but just received) that Nacimiento is closed due to slides.

As of 5:30 am the CHP website lists 3 areas of concern. (Try as I might, I can’t seem to copy and paste). From South to North they are: MM 26, 34, and 60. MM 26 is Gamboa Point, but the CHP lists it as just north of Limekiln State Park, which is actually closer to MM 20. This one is listed as rocks and boulders and barely enough room for a small car to get through. CHP says there is signage, but not enough. MM 34 is near Esalen’s South Coast Center, and 60 is just South of Palo Colorado Canyon. One of them is a tree that is crossing both lanes, but unclear which. Dawn is still a couple hours away, at which time dawn patrol will be out clearing the way. Until then, be careful, aware, and drive slowly.

Storm Report, 3/13/16

11 pm – bedtime. Currently at 1.82″ since midnight. Still raining. Remembered to write down the monthly amount so I can figure out the rain amount for this last hour. Be safe everyone.

Okay, I’ve been taking the day off, but not without checking on things, specifically road conditions. Here is one that won’t affect most of us … It’s on Garrapatos RD.
Incident: 00365 Type: Traffic Hazard Location: 59625 Garrapatos Rd Loc Desc: Lat/Lon: 36.400156 -121.873975
Detail Information
4:39 PM 3 [5] RP HAS PLACED A RR TIE IN THE RDWY
4:38 PM 2 [4] APPRX 200 YDS FRM THE PRVT ROAD
4:36 PM 1 [1] SINK HOLE IN MIDDLE OF RD , DUE TO A CULVERT THAT HAS BEEN UNDERMINED

I have received over an inch since midnight. I forgot to write down the monthly amount so I could figure out later what I received from 8 pm until midnight. Sorry

Storm Report, 3/11/16

8:15 am – up to .41″ already. Going to be a fun day!

7:30 am – At 6 am, there was nary a drop of rain. At 7:00 am it was pouring, and that continues. Already up to .20″ No major road conditions on Highway One to report at this time, BUT several mudslides in SLO Co reported, and remember the Big Sur hills are already saturated, so expect difficult conditions to develop. Will continue reports as needed throughout the day.

These are the current conditions: (graphic to be posted when Internet allows)

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Per John Lindsey, SLO forecaster: “Rainfall amounts with this system are expected to range between 0.50 and 1.25 inches. Overall, between 1.25 and 2.75 inches of rain is forecast between today into Monday with higher amounts in the Santa Lucia mountains.”

 

Low Flying helicopters in Big Sur

Low flying helicopters to be operating along the Big Sur Coast
for PG&E utility inspections
March 9-12, 8am-5pm

Residents may see or hear helicopters hovering and flying close to the power lines for several minutes at a time throughout the day. The inspections are to observe clearances between vegetation and the power lines so we can ensure we continue to provide safe, reliable, and affordable service. No electric service is expected to be affected by these inspections.

If residents have questions about this work, we encourage you to refer them to the PG&E Customer Outreach Specialist Lizz Williams @ (831) 784-3592. Please note that our work schedule is subject to change and is dependent on safe weather conditions. We appreciate your patience while we complete this important project.

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