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Rains, Mud and Debris Flow on
Skyland, Woodland
2/4/09
to 2/9/09
Alert Notices
My Observations
(text and pics, posted chronologically, earliest at bottom)
2/9/09, 6:30am - Was raining
steady when I went to bed after the Grammy's, and a couple times when I woke up
during the night. So I went and took a look around, leaving at 5:24am.
One Carter looked fine, no problems there. Went up onto Skyland, the only
thing blocking the road up there was a TV van. There was little mud here
and there (at Idelhour, for instance), but nothing anywhere to obstruct traffic.
Went over by Mary's Market. There's some mud in the road just above the
bridge over the wash. Wasn't sure what was past that, so I parked and
walked up Woodland. Everything is pretty clear once you get past the mud
just above the bridge. Well, I guess I should be more specific, I walked
up as far as Alta Vista, and shined my light up as far as Yucca Trail, and all
looked clear. Don't get me wrong, there are places with a small layer of
dirt or mud in the road, but the only place deeper than an inch or two (besides
just above the wash) was where piles have been made on the side of the
road. Looking at the sky, Sierra Madre seemed to be in a pocket of mostly
clear skies, with clouds to the east and west. Actually, much of the West
was only partially cloudy, I could easily see the entire full moon. Here's
some pics...
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Looking west on
Skyland:5:39am |
Looking east, TV van
blocking road, nothing else was, 5:39am |
Looking north(northeast?) on
Woodland, just above the bridge over the wash by Mary's. 6am |
The moon behind some
branches, looking past my neighbor's roof from my driveway, 6:13am |
2/6/09 - 9:10am - Here's the
pics...
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SM Public Works joined the
County PW Dept. in the morning, this is on Woodland |
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Most of the mud has been
hauled away, this is just some of what's left... |
Nostradamus was here |
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Water/debris was flowing
smoothly in the wash |
Up on Skyland now.. |
Don't let the looks fool
you. The darker mud on the side didn't look as deep, so I walked
over there. Up to mid-calf two steps in... |
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Notice the mailbox... |
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2/6/09 - 8:55am - Just got
back from visiting Skyland and Woodland. Skyland is covered with TV
cameras (I saw CW, NBC and Fox trucks). The street looks the same as it
did around midnight, though the property owner was getting his garage cleaned
out. Over on Woodland, LACDPW crews have been joined by Sierra Madre
Public Works, and between them, they've got enough of the road cleared to make
it passable, it looked like. I didn't go all the way up, but could see
most of the way to Alta Vista, and there was a wide enough path for cars to get
through as far as I could see. Of course, with the crews still working,
it's best to stay out of there if you don't have to be there, let's keep the
traffic to a minimum. I have some pics I'll be posting shortly.
2/6/09 - 2:00am - Something
I noticed that I've noticed other times, too (like the other night when it
hailed) - it wasn't raining on me at all above Grandview, but as I came down the
hill, it was raining steady again. Here's the pictures...
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Looking west on Carter at top of Baldwin, 11:33pm (2/5) |
Ditto |
Looking east |
East side of One Carter,
11:36pm |
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Ditto |
Held the camera up over the
fence |
Ditto |
Skyland. Look at the
bottom of the garage door, you can see where the mud has breached, 11:44pm |
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Ditto |
Ditto |
Looking south on Skyland,
with Idlehour on your left, 11:54pm |
Ditto |
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At the north? end of the
bridge just above Mary's Market, 12:07am 2/6 |
Walking up the hill from
Mary's |
Dozer coming down Woodland
towards Mary's |
Ditto |
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Between Alta Vista and Yucca
Trail |
Looking up Yucca Trail from
Woodland, 12:13am |
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Heading back down Woodland,
I think. This pic actually shows some of the vertical dimension |
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12:17am |
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The barriers that keep the
mud out of your yard create big rain puddles on the other side, that can't
escape down the street |
Dozer filling up truck by
Mary's |
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12:24am |
2/6/09 - 12:35am - Just got
back from a drive around. One Carter looks fine, but Skyland's a mess, and
so is Woodland. Up on Skyland I ran into a guy whose garage had been
overrun by mud about twenty minutes earlier he said. I think it was 825
Skyland, not sure. Yucca Trail seems to be pretty clean near the bottom,
but there was still a dozer and dump truck working up at the top. Below
Yucca on Sturtevant is pretty much mudded out. Once you got to the bridge
just up from Mary's Market, you were in the mud. There were some clean
patches in the street, but a lot more mud than cleared. One of the guys
from LACDPW told me I should have been there a couple hours earlier, there were
half a dozen cars stuck, but "we got them all out now." Took a bunch of
pictures, posting them next.
2/5/09 - 9:25pm - I left
City Hall about ten till nine, and Bruce Inman and James Carlson were in their
offices still hard at work. They tell me that Yucca Drive was filled with
mud again, spilling onto Woodland Land and down to Mary's Market, and that
Skyland Drive had a section filled with mud. James described the situation
as being very similar to the May incident. The barrier has been put up at
Brookside (by residents, City workers couldn't get through, I'm told). No
clearing is being done overnight. If it's raining in the morning, clearing
won't start then either, as the more water there is in the mud, it just flows
off the back of the truck. Bruce says some County employees are working up
in the area. I suggested that there would be some people complaining that
crews didn't work through the night so that they could have clear streets in the
morning, but also noted that if crews had worked through the night, there would
be people complaining about the noise...Can't please everybody, no matter what
you do.
I got an e-mail from Skyland Drive
resident Mary Dotson, who sent along the following message and pictures:
"Please
remind people that if there is a barrier in the road – it means something. I am
attaching a photo of the car currently residing in the mud in front of our
house. It’s a little dark, but you can get the idea."
Here are the photos, click to enlarge.
It's not raining at the moment,
and I'm still trying to decide whether to go out and about to take pics, or stay
here. If it starts raining again, and I notice during the night that it's
raining hard or for extended periods, I will get up and go take a look around.
I'll head up at first light either way, and get some pics of the conditions at
that time.
2/3/09 - The City's
emergency blog still shows us as being on green flag alert (posted 1/22/09),
when there hasn't been a threat of rain in days (1/27/09?).
Alerts (click link to view
notice)
2/9/09 - 5:27pm -
City Downgrades to Green Flag Alert
2/9/09 - 7:37am -
LACDPW Extends Phase I Watch
2/8/09 - 4:20pm -
City Upgrades to Yellow Alert
2/8/09 - 3:28pm -
LACDPW Restores Phase I Watch
2/7/09 - 4:15pm -
City Downgrades to Green Flag Alert
2/7/09 - 3:21pm -
LACDPW Eliminates Phase 1 Watch
2/7/09 - 5:42am -
LACDPW Extends Phase I Watch
2/6/09 - 5:23pm -
Woodland Drive Opened
2/6/09 - 3:37pm -
LACDPW Extends Phase I Watch
2/6/09 - 11:03am -
City E-Blast re: NWS Flash Flood Warning
2/6/09 - 6:14am -
LACDPW Extends
Phase I Watch
2/5/09 - 9:05pm -
E-blast Follows Up Blog Update
2/5/09 - 7:14pm -
City Emergency Blog Reports Mudflow
2/5/09 - 4:33pm -
LACDPW Extends Phase I Watch
2/5/09 - 9:28am -
City Upgrades to Yellow Flag Alert
2/5/09 - 7:48am -
LACDPW Issues Phase I Watch
2/4/09 - 6:18pm -
City Sends Out Green Flag Alert
2/9/09 -
City Downgrades to Green Flag Alert, received 5:27pm
The City of Sierra Madre has downgraded
to a Green Flag Mud Alert for Sierra Madre residences in potential mud flow
areas. The County of Los Angeles Public Works Department has removed the
Phase 1 Mudflow Forecast from the Santa Anita Fire burn area.
National Weather Services is posting a
30% chance of rain or snow through this evening and residents are encouraged
(to) remain diligent.
City officials and staff would like to
thank the residents for their continued preparations, hard work, and cooperation
during the past few days.
Additional information including
preparation information and links to County Mudflow forecasts and National
Weather Services forecasts can be found on the City’s website,
http://www.cityofsierramadre.com/.
2/9/09 -
LACDPW Extends Phase I Watch
LACDPW has extended the Phase I
Watch through 4am tomorrow, 2/10.
Here's the notice.
2/8/09 -
City Upgrades to Yellow Flag Alert, Received 4:20pm
The City of Sierra Madre has issued a
Yellow Flag Alert effective immediately. The County of Los Angeles Public Works
Department has issued a Phase 1 Mudflow forecast as of 3:30PM, Sunday, February
8, 2009.
A Phase 1 indicates that small isolated
debris and mudflows are possible at specific locations. Streets may once again
be flooded or blocked by debris. Woodland Drive, Skyland Drive, and other
streets may be closed due to blockage and cleanup efforts throughout the night.
Parking restrictions are in effect in
the Upper and Lower Canyon during Yellow or Red Flag alerts. Vehicles may be
towed at owner’s 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, Sturtevant Dr., Elm Ave., and Holly Trail.
Residents in the affected areas are
urged to be "set" to leave at a moments notice and may choose to voluntarily
evacuate.
2/8/09 -
LACDPW Restores Phase I Watch for Sierra Madre, 3:28pm
LACDPW has restored the Phase I
watch for Sierra Madre, through 4pm tomorrow.
Here's the notice.
2/7/09 -
City Downgrades to Green Flag Alert, 4:15pm
Receivd the following form the City:
The City of Sierra Madre has downgraded
to a Green Flag Mud Alert for Sierra Madre residences in potential mud flow
areas. The County of Los Angeles Public Works Department has removed the Phase 1
Mudflow Forecast from the Santa Anita Fire burn area. There is still a 60%
chance of rain through this evening and residents are encouraged remain
diligent.
City officials and staff would like to
thank the residents for their continued preparations, hard work, and cooperation
during this mud event.
Additional information including
preparation information and links to County Mudflow forecasts and National
Weather Services forecasts can be found on the City’s website,
http://www.cityofsierramadre.com/.
2/7/09 -
LACDPW Cancels Phase I Watch, Received 3:21pm
LACDPW has cancelled the Phase
I watch for Sierra Madre.
Here's the
notice.
2/7/09 -
LACDPW Extends Phase I Watch, Received 5:42am, posted 6:38am
The LACDPW has extended its
Phase I watch through 4am Sunday, Feb. 8th.
Here's the notice.
2/6/09 -
Woodland Drive Opened as of 5pm Friday, Received 5:23pm, Posted 5:30pm
Received the following from the
City:
Woodland Drive has been cleared for vehicular traffic as of 5:00PM Friday
evening.
Skyland Drive will remained closed until further notice.
The City will remain under a Yellow Flag Alert overnight due to the Phase One
Mudflow Alert from the LA County Public Works Department.
The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Watch as of 4:00PM Friday
and extending through Saturday morning.
Affected residents should continue to monitor local weather reports and get
“SET” to leave their homes or choose to voluntarily evacuate.
Please note that all vehicles must be off the streets in potential mudflow areas
during Yellow Flag alerts. Overnight parking restrictions are lifted throughout
the City during Yellow Flag Alerts.
Again, the City would like to thank all of the residents who assisted with the
work in order to open Woodland Drive for their neighbors.
2/6/09 -
LACDPW Extends Phase I Watch
LACDPW has extended their Phase
I Watch through 4pm tomorrow, 2/7/09.
Here's the notice.
2/6/09 -
City E-Blast re: NWS Flash Flood Warning, received 11:03am, posted 11:28am
From the City:
FOR LOS ANGELES COUNTY SAN
GABRIEL VALLEY- THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN LOS ANGELES/OXNARD HAS ISSUED A
* FLASH FLOOD WATCH FOR THE RECENT BURN AREAS OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY * FROM 4 PM
PST THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING * MODERATE TO HEAVY SHOWERS AND
ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE CAPABLE OF RAINFALL RATES UP TO ONE INCH AN HOUR
ACROSS THE BURN AREAS TODAY THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING.
The City of Sierra Madre remains at a
Yellow Flag Warning. 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. Overnight parking restrictions are lifted throughout the City during
Yellow Flag Alerts.
The City wants to thank residents in the
affected areas for the patience and cooperation as Woodland Dr. remains closed
at Sturtevant Dr. as well as Skyland Dr. Public Works crews are working to clear
debris, but please note that road cleaning cannot be done while its heavily
raining. Please continue to give your full cooperation to emergency personnel as
they work to clear the streets.
2/6/09 - LACDPW Extends Phase I
Watch, Received 6:14am, posted 7:02am
The LACDPW has extended their
Phase I watch through 4am tomorrow, Feb. 7th.
Here's the notice.
2/5/09 -
E-Blast From City Follows Up Emergency Blog Post - 9:05, posted 9:12
Just received an e-blast from
the City that, following up on the Emergency Blog post, said the same thing the
post immediately below said.
2/5/09 -
City Emergency Blog Reports Mudflow, 7:14pm, posted here at 9:07pm
I was in a Chamber of Commerce
Board meeting when I received a text from City PIO James Carlson that the
Emergency Blog had been updated, so I apologize for the delay in reporting.
Here's what the blog said:
The City of Sierra
Madre Emergency
Services responded to
Skyland Dr. and Woodland Dr. at approximately 5:50PM and encountered
mud and debris on both streets. As a result, Woodland Dr. will be closed at
Sturtevant Dr.
overnight. Skyland
Dr. will also be closed to traffic.
Sierra Madre
Public Works Department will begin the process of clearing the roads shortly
after 6:30AM tomorrow morning (Friday, February 6, 2009), weather permitting.
Road cleaning cannot be done while its raining. First priority will be
Woodland Drive, as its closure impacts a significant number of residents. Will
will clear the blockage of Skyland Drive as quickly as possible.
The City remains at a Yellow Flag Alert and urges residents in the affected
areas to continue to monitor weather reports and contact the Sierra
Madre Police
Department at either 911 or 626-355-1414 to report any new hazardous
situations.
2/5/09 -
LACDPW Extends Phase I Watch Through 4pm Tomorrow, received 4:33pm, posted
4:41pm
LACDPW has extended its
Phase I Watch through 4pm tomorrow.
Here's the notice.
2/5/09 -
City Upgrades to Yellow Flag Alert Status, received 9:28am, posted 10:10am
Received the following from
the City:
Yellow Flag Alert
The County has issued a Phase 1 mud and
debris flow alert. National Weather Service is forecasting 70% to 80% chance of
precipitation today through Friday evening. The NWS is also forecasting the
heaviest rains for today may reach 0.7” between the hours of 4:00PM and 10:00PM.
A Phase 1 indicates that small isolated debris and mudflows are possible at
specific locations. Streets may be flooded or blocked by debris. Reports of
debris on private property may be received. Few, if any, structures may be
endangered.
Parking restrictions are in effect in
the Upper and Lower Canyon during Yellow or Red Flag alerts. Vehicles may be
towed at owner’s expense.
Green-Yellow-Red Flag Warning System
Explanation:
The City is acutely aware of the
inconvenience that the yellow and red flag warning system and its accompanying
parking restrictions cause our residents. We are truly sorry for that
inconvenience and we thank our residents for their continued patience.
Thus, we do not take lightly the posting
of yellow and red flag warnings. We have developed the warning system using the
best, most accurate information available regarding rainfall amounts, hydrology,
and local geology. For that information, we rely strictly on the National
Weather Service (NWS) and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works (LACDPW).
For consistency and to avoid arbitrarily inconveniencing our residents the City
issues our warnings based on recommendations from those agencies.
Condition Green is called upon receipt
of a NWS forecast calling for 80% or greater chance of rain.
Condition Yellow is called upon receipt
of an LACDPW Phase 1 Debris and Mudflow Forecast. LACDPW develops their forecast
utilizing NWS rainfall intensity data, geologic data specific to the mountains
above Sierra Madre, and LACDPW’s own empirical data on local hydrology and
debris flow characteristics.
Condition Red is called upon receipt of
an LACDPW Phase 2 or 3 Debris and Mudflow Forecast.
Finally, the City issues the warnings as
quickly as possible following receipt of NWS and LACDPW forecasts. While it
appears counterintuitive to call a Yellow Flag warning while the sun is still
shining, the City must err on the side of caution. Again, thank you for your
continued patience.
Yellow Flag Condition is now in effect.
For more information, please visit
www.cityofsierramadre.com.
2/5/09 -
LACDPW Issues Phase I Watch, received 7:48am, posted 10:00am
LACDPW has issued a Phase I
watch, here's the notice.
2/4/09 -
City Sends Out Green Flag Alert Notice, Received 6:18pm, posted 7:30pm
Although I never saw the status change from the 1/22/09 downgrade to
Green Flag Alert Status (as of yesterday, the City's emergency blog still showed
the downgrade to Green Flag notice, with no post of a later downgrade to no
flag, and I never received an e-blast announcing a change to no flag after the
1/22 downgrade to Green), I have now received a notice from the City that it has
issued a Green Flag Alert (Still? Again?). Here's what the official notice
says:
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 70% chance of rain in Sierra Madre on
Thursday and 80% chance on Friday. The quantity of precipitation is estimated to
be between 2-4".
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 safely possible.
Additional information can be found on
the City’s website,
www.cityofsierramadre.com.
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