Update to Storm Debris Flow

From Carolyn Seitz:

As of 11 am today, the following information is being provided by Incident Command for the coming storm:


Rainfall is still being anticipated at 1 to 2 inches in the foothill areas with rain expected to begin between late this afternoon and early this evening.

Thunderstorms are also possible, between the late evening hours and early Saturday morning. Thunderstorms have the potential to produce greater rainfall amounts in shot periods of time.

There are no evacuation orders in place for Altadena, except that Millard Campground continues to be closed.

There are no road closures in effect for Altadena except from the Chaney Trail gate into the National Forest area.

The debris basins and inlets continue to be monitored. In some areas, the County crews continue to remove debris or loose materials where they can do it safely, but the heavy equipment will be removed from the streambeds and drainages before the rain begins.

For those of us who have friends and family in La Canada/Flintridge and La Crescenta, there are evacuation orders in place for portions of La Canada/Flintridge and La Crescenta.

The Sheriff's Department has a command post set up at Descanso and has extra resources available to patrol the evacuated areas and will continue to do risk assessment to make sure they keep these areas secure.

The Department of Public Works is also working diligently to put additional K-rail in place to direct mud and debris flows from areas with the greatest risk for impact.

More information will be provided when it is available.

The County agencies - Fire Department, Department of Public Works and the Sheriff's Department - are set up for management of this event and have additional personnel already on hand.

Stay safe and be prepared.

Carolyn

Update on Incoming Rain

From Carolyn Seitz, our wonderful liaison to the Sheriff's Department:

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Works has released information on the storm expected to arrive in our area around 6 pm Friday, February 19.


The National Weather Service is predicting rainfall of 1 to 2 inches in the foothill areas between Friday afternoon and Saturday morning, with a slight chance of thunderstorms Friday night and early Saturday morning that may produce higher rainfall amounts.

The mud and debris flow alert reminds us all that we should anticipate that mud and debris may flow down the canyons below the burn areas, in the watercourses and streams. In Altadena, it means that there is still a potential for impact on Canyon Crest.

The County continues to prepare, and will be monitoring the debris basins during the storm, and as many of you are aware, will continue to clean the basins and inlets, before, during and after the storm.

There is no evacuation anticipated for Altadena, except that the Millard Campground area remains closed.

There are no road closures in Altadena except the existing closure at the Chaney Trail Gate.

If you're interested in seeing the mud and debris flow predictions - the "mudcast" as it's being called, you can find the information at this location: http://dpw.lacounty.gov/wrd/forecast/file/mud4cast.pdf

As always, stay safe and stay prepared.

A Well Deserved Break!

Thanks to Amish for this great pic.

Doctors and Nurses in The Meadows

I've had a few inquiries as to whether there are Doctors and Nurses in The Meadows should someone need assistance and we're unable to leave.

If you are a Doctor or Nurse and wish to let me know, I'll keep the information confidential and will connect you with the neighbor if needed.

Thanks.

Public Works eNotify

From our Sherriff Liaison:

You may find additional information on road closures, bebris flow, etc. at the website managed by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works. Here's the link:


www.dpwcare.org

There's an eNotify button on the home page, right side.
On that site, you can sign up for mud flow, debris flow, flood and road closure emergency notifications. These notifications can be received through email or as a text message on your cell phone.

You'll note on their website that there is a list from which you may choose other notifications as well, including hazardous waste and e-waste roundups.

L. A. County Plan for Next Storm

From L. A. County Supervisor's Office:

"The incident command team is concerned about Canyon Crest. They have deployed a County Fire engine to be stationed in the Meadows and Sheriffs are on alert to assist. They are not planning to evacuate the Meadows at this time. "

Next Storm Coming

Please see Tim Rutt's  http://www.altadenablog.com/  for a post from the National Weather Service.

There's a chance that Canyon Crest could be impacted yet again starting on Tuesday.

I did receive an email from our Sherriff's Liaison stating that an evacuation of Altadena was not expected, but that debris flow could again be a factor.

Pics of El Prieto Canyon

Thanks to Amish and Jeff for these pics of El Prieto Canyon.

Canyon Crest Open

Canyon Crest is open.  Watch for the new stop signs right before the bridge both coming in and going out.  Thanks for the pic, Amish.

New Estimated Time

7:15 p.m. is the new estimated time for Canyon Crest to be open to traffic both ways.  I have heard that portions may be down to one lane, but haven't confirmed that.

Plan to Open Canyon Crest

I just got this word from the Sherriff Rescue person down at the hairpin.

They briefly were letting people in and out about 10 minutes ago.

Trucks with k-rails have arrived.  They're going to close Canyon Crest for about 90 minutes while they install the k-rails and will then open the road.

Greg

Residents Being Allowed Access?

Just had an anonymous comment on the blog that stated the Sherriffs are letting residents only, in and out of The Meadows.  Can others confirm?

Update from Neighbor

This is a report from a neighbor on Canyon Crest before the hairpin.

"Sherriff reports road will be closed for at least a day if not more, need further inspection of roadbed. This was a very large debris flow. It sounded like thunder and shook the house here on lower Canyon Crest. Rock slide on inner lane around first curve, drive carefully (may be closed at Lincoln)."

More Pics of Debris Flow

Thanks to Jane and Todd for these pics.

More Pics of Canyon Crest Flood and Debris

Canyon Crest Road Split at Bridge

More debris flow and water have caused a break in the pavement of Canyon Crest at the hairpin turn. It appears to be about a 12” drop.

Also, wood, rock and debris flow have bent the guard rail across the road. It also appears that a pick-up truck was caught in the debris flow on the south side of the hairpin.

Crews, including the large digger are on site, but not working yet as major amounts of water continue to flow out of Millard Canyon.

It’s my opinion that the road will not be open anytime today and that repairs will need to be made to the break in pavement before cars can cross. Larger trucks may be able to pass once the debris is cleared.

Canyon Crest Out Again

Just heard from neighbors that Canyon Crest is washed out again.  Heading down to take pics.

Thanks to County Public Works

Public Works has been doing a great job in keeping Canyon Crest open.  One could argue that the work should have been done prior to the storm.  But, if you'd like to send a note of thanks, here's the contact:


Ms. Gail Farber, Director

Los Angeles County Department of Public Works

900 South Fremont Avenue

Alhambra, CA 91803

Pics of our "River" This Morning

From a neighbor this morning:

"I just thought I'd pass this morning's pics to you. Those guys down there are doing a good job. Good enough to elecit cookies from one our residents as she drove down the road to work. They've been doing an all night shift for us."

Loose Dog on Risinghill

The thunder scared a whitish gold smallish retriever-looking dog that ran wild on Risinghill. (Kara, it's not Loki.) He/she ran up Risinghill Rd at about 11:35 and has not returned.