SierraMudre.Info - Your Source for Info About Sierra Madre Mud & Debris Flow - a division of SierraMadreNews.Net

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SierraMudre.Info coverage of November 26, 2008 Mud/Debris Flow Incident, in chronological order, with earliest coverage at bottom

My Observations   --   Official City and County Alerts

11/26/08, 7pm - Sorry, I was out of the office most of the day and just got back.  Here's an update.  At 11:15am, a post was made to my blog that Mary had mud at 801 Skyland.  At 4:17, I received an e-mail with the two pictures below from Mary Dotson, who commented that "City is doing a wonderful job of cleaning up.  These Public Works guys are working hard – It was a mess!"  At 4:59, the City downgraded to a Green Flag alert."  Thanks Mary for the pics and the update.

11/26/08, 10:30am - Got back to the office from a sales call and noticed that the City Emergency blog had an update from James that the Yellow Flag alert continues, though there was no e-mail announcement to that effect.  Of course, there was no change in status, so it probably didn't warrant an e-mail to tell us things are the same as they were.  But it's nice that it was posted on the blog, so those who really are wondering have a place to find out.  It's rained off and on, and I'm told the weather forecast calls for more.  As I said before, we dodged a bullet overnight.  Doesn't mean there aren't more bullets going to fly.  Stay careful.

11/26/08, 6:20am - I didn't go everywhere, but where I went, everything looks so good, I think it's safe to say we dodged a bullet.  When I went to bed around 1am, it was raining pretty steady, and had been since shortly after midnight.  Got up this am, and the clouds are pretty well breaking over the SGV, and the streets are clear.  Went up Churchill, checked out Canyon Crest, Skyland, all clear.  Went up Churchill to Brookside, all is well including Yucca Trail.  Went up to Sunrise Hill, everything is clear as a bell.  Camillo at Lotus Lane, looks good.  The only sign I saw of mud in the streets was about a 10' wide stretch of dirt about 1/8" deep at the bottom of a dirt driveway on Churchill, just above Old Ranch Road.  One person, 15 minutes with a shovel, and it's clear.  Looking good out there, Sierra Madre.

11/26/08 5:30am - City emergency blog is the same, so hopefully all is well.  I'm heading out to take a look around.

11/26/08, 12:05am - Started out at the City Yard, where there were a couple hundred filled sand bags, and lots of empty ones there for folks who need them.  Left and went up Woodland to Yucca Trail, everything is clear there.  There was a small stream of water running down the gutter in the middle of Woodland, definite brown (dirt) tint to it, but it was nothing to worry about at that point.  A lot of people have put up rail and post barricades across the front of their properties, lots of sand bags in place.  CBS 2 has a van set up in the empty parking lot, great big lights illuminating the whole area.  Would probably irritate me if I lived up there and not only couldn't park, but had to put up with the light.  Left and went up Churchill, went around Canyon Crest, checked out Skyland and Orange, all looked good.  Drove by the Mt. Wilson Trail entrance and Mt. Wilson Trail Road, closed as you can see in the picture, but the road was clean except for leaves.   Drove up to One Carter, everything looks clear and clean.  At the gate at the top of Baldwin, I held my camera up over the gate and took a picture of the sandbags holding the plastic in place at the driveway entrance.  Went up Auburn and around behind the debris basin, looking down from the Maddox driveway.  Everything looks good all around.  Of course, if this storm is the one they were predicting, and it just hit us later than expected, then we've got a long night of rain ahead of us, and that could all change in an instant.  Stay safe, folks.

11/25/08, 10:30pm - Been raining about 2.5 hours.  Heading out to take a look around.  Be sure to check back here, the City blog, and my NewsNet blog for updates.

November 25th - I will be out of the area beginning at 2pm and ending about 8:30 - 9pm,  and will not be able to update this site during that period.

City and County Alerts/Releases

Received from the City of Sierra Madre at 4:17pm, posted at 7:08pm, 11/26/08 - City Downgrades to Green Flag Warning

Additional information on how to protect your home can be found on the City’s website, www.cityofsierramadre.com. Mud incident updates can be found at www.sierramadrepio.blogspot.com.

Received from City of Sierra Madre at 9:04am, posted 10:25am, 11/26/08 - Yellow Flag Alert Continued

The City of Sierra Madre would like residents to know that the Yellow Flag Alert has been continued this morning, Wednesday, November 26th, 2008.
 
 The Los Angeles County Department of Public Works has extended their Phase One Mudflow Forecast.
 
 Homeowners are recommended to continue to prepare for potential mudflows...

Received 9:49am, 11/25/08 - ANTONOVICH ENCOURAGES PREPAREDNESS IN ANTICIPATION OF RAINFALL IN BURN AREAS

LOS ANGELES COUNTY – To prepare for forecasted winter storms that could produce measurable rain this week in areas affected by recent fires, Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich encouraged residents to prepare by utilizing sandbags to deflect runoff and prevent further property damage. 

Supervisor Antonovich is also directing County departments to assess the potential risk to fire-damaged complex at Olive View Medical Center and take necessary precautions to protect at-risk locations around the campus.

Los Angeles County Department of Public Works has taken action to prepare County flood channels and catch basins to handle the storm flow and officials are monitoring natural watercourses, roads, and bridges to ensure that they are capable of withstanding the runoff. 

The Department is also prepared to activate its Emergency Operations Center if necessary.

Supervisor Antonovich encourages residents to take the following precautions:

·      If you live in an area that is susceptible to flooding, consider leaving if it is safe to do so.

·      Listen to local radio and TV reports for heavy rainfall areas.

·      If you live near a stream or channel, be alert for sudden changes in water levels.

·      Be aware of your surroundings.  Listen for unusual sounds, such as breaking trees.

·      Use sandbags to divert runoff and protect buildings.

Sierra Madre, CA. November 24, 2008, 10:30 P.M. PST - Yellow Flag Mud Alert Issued (Received 11/25/08, 9:37am, posted at 9:42am)

The City of Sierra Madre issued a Yellow Flag Mud Alert for Sierra Madre residences in potential mud flow areas. The National Weather Service is forecasting a 90% chance of rain in Sierra Madre on Tuesday and a 70% chance on Wednesday, November 25 and 26, 2008. The quantity of precipitation is over 2” for Tuesday, decreasing on Wednesday.

It is recommended that residents in the following areas prepare for potential mudflow deposition on: Auburn Avenue east of Auburn Debris Basin; the development under construction north of Carter Avenue; Carter Avenue between the development and Mira Monte Avenue; Mt. Wilson Trail near Mira Monte Avenue; Churchill Road near Skyland Drive; Skyland Drive; streets below Sierra Madre Debris Dam (Sumac Trail, Brookside Lane, Woodland Drive); Yucca Trail; Lotus Lane, above Camillo Street and Sturtevant Debris Basin; Sunrise Hill Lane; Santa Anita Canyon Road above Lannan Debris Basin.

Affected residents should prepare to leave their homes and may choose to voluntarily evacuate. Please note that all vehicles must be off the streets in potential mudflow areas during Yellow Flag alerts.

Should there be mud flow the City of Sierra Madre Public Works Department will work hard to clean the streets of any potential debris and mud as soon as possible. However, depending on the amount of rainfall and debris, streets may not be accessible before the Thanksgiving holiday and weekend.

All homeowners are encouraged to take proactive steps to protect their homes. Sand and bags will be available at the Public Works Yard (621 E. Sierra Madre Blvd.) and the Fire Station (232 W. Sierra Madre Blvd.). Able bodied volunteers not living in the potential mud flow areas are encouraged to help fill sandbags. Those interested in assisting with sandbags should contact James Carlson or Suzi McConnell at 626-355-7135.

Additional information on how to protect your home can be found on the City’s website, www.cityofsierramadre.com. Mud incident updates can be found at www.sierramadrepio.blogspot.com.

November 24, 2008, 2:30 P.M. PST - Green Flag Mud Alert Issued (posted here 4:26pm, not yet on City website, but it is posted on City emergency blog)

The City of Sierra Madre issued a Green Flag Mud Alert for Sierra Madre residences in potential mud flow areas. The National Weather Service is forecasting a 90% chance of rain in Sierra Madre on Tuesday and Wednesday, November 25 and 26, 2008. The quantity of precipitation is over 2” for Tuesday, decreasing sharply for Wednesday.

Should there be mud flow the City of Sierra Madre Public Works Department will work hard to clean the streets of any potential debris and mud as soon as possible. However, depending on the amount of rainfall and debris, streets may not be accessible before the Thanksgiving holiday and weekend.

All homeowners are encouraged to take proactive steps to protect their homes. Sand and bags will be available at the Public Works Yard (621 E. Sierra Madre Blvd.) and the Fire Station (232 W. Sierra Madre Blvd.). Able bodied volunteers not living in the potential mud flow areas are encouraged to help fill sandbags. Those interested in assisting with sandbags should contact James Carlson or Suzi McConnell at 626-355-7135.

Additional information on how to protect your home can be found on the City’s website, www.cityofsierramadre.com. Mud incident updates can be found at www.sierramadrepio.blogspot.com.

Background on the Sierra Madre Mud Alert System:

A series of three different colored flags will be flown at four different locations in the City (City Hall, Search and Rescue, Mountain Trail and Churchill Road, and Mary’s Market).  When possible, flags will be displayed indicating one of three stages of emergency.  Be sure to check the website, email alerts, SMTV3 or simply call City Hall or the Police Department to confirm the current stage of emergency and please understand the City may not always have the ability to change these flags.  

Stage One: GREEN FLAG - Activated under a prediction of 80% - 100% chance of precipitation. Affected residents should get “READY” for potential evacuation.  This includes keeping a close watch on weather forecasts.

Stage Two: YELLOW FLAG - Activated with an LA County Phase 1 mudflow forecast. This is described as small, isolated debris and mudflows possible at specific locations. Affected residents should get “SET” to leave their homes and may choose to voluntarily evacuate.  Please note that all vehicles must be off the streets in potential mudflow areas during Yellow Flag alerts.

Stage Three: RED FLAG - Activated with an LA County Phase 2 or 3 forecast. Phase 2 includes moderate debris and mudflows at more widespread locations. Phase 3 - the potential exists for significant debris and mudflows to be widespread. Affected residents should “GO”, meaning they should immediately evacuate, and vehicles should not be parked on the streets.

A yellow or red flag may also trigger vehicles being towed from designated streets at the owners’ expense. The affected streets are: Mount Wilson Trail, Churchill Rd., Skyland Dr., Fern Glen, Fern Dr., Idlehour Ln., Canyon Crest Dr., Orange Dr., Woodland Dr., Brookside Lane, Sunnyside Lane, Yucca Trail, and Holly Trail. The City is working to have these vehicles towed to local lots, please look to future mud newsletters for further details.

The Red Flag “GO” will trigger Information Check-in Centers to be opened at both Sierra Madre Public School Campuses. (160 N. Canon Ave. & 141 W. Highland Ave.) If you evacuate, please notify the Check-In Center so that we know you are safely out and have contact information to ensure you have timely notice of when it is safe to go back into your home. Additional information on Evacuation Shelters and pet lodging will be available at these locations. When evacuating, please plan to be as self-sufficient as possible with important paperwork, medications, and clothing for at least seven days.

Please note that Public Safety Officials do not take evacuation orders lightly and residents should heed these orders. Once mud begins to flow, Emergency Responders will NOT rescue those who failed to evacuate until the mud has stopped flowing and it is safe for responders to enter the mud flow areas.

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