County warns residents to brace for storm
The National Weather Service has issued a variety of alerts for Monterey County in anticipation of today’s expected storm.
A flash flood watch has been issued for the burn areas of the Carmel, Dolan, River and Willow fires. That warning at the sites of the 2020 fires will be in effect from this afternoon through late tonight. The county warns that properties and people below or downstream of the burn areas are at an increased risk for flooding and debris flows. As of Saturday afternoon there were no evacuation warnings or orders, but the county warned this could change.
A press release from the county also noted that floodwaters can contain significant amounts of mud, boulders, and even vegetation. The powerful force of rushing water, soil, and rock, both within the burned area and downstream, can destroy culverts, bridges, roadways, and structures, and can cause injury or death if care is not taken, the county notes. In burned areas, flash floods occur most often when rainfall rates reach half an inch per hour. When it rains in a burn area, debris flows started by flashfloods can travel many miles downslope from the burn area, in locations where it may not even be raining.
Monterey County is in the “Slight” category, with scattered flash floods possible. Santa Cruz County is in the “Moderate” category, with numerous flash floods likely.
A wind advisory and high surf warning will be in effect from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. today. The county warns that drought-stressed trees will be susceptible to toppling, leading to possible power outages. Winds are expected to be 15 to 25 mph with gusts of 30 to 45 mph and stronger along the coast.
Rain is expected to taper to showers by Monday.
The county suggests registering for Alert Monterey County to receive emergency alerts. For more information visit: https://bit.ly/3m7Q5Kb
Santa Cruz County, meanwhile, plans to open a shelter at 8 a.m.today when residents are notified of required evacuations.
The Sheriff’s Office on Saturday began door-to-door outreach in anticipation of evacuations in higher-risk areas. Deputies are contacting homes in the low-lying, high-risk areas that have the highest potential for evacuation. This outreach was scheduled for Saturday only.