City of Sierra Madre: 5:00PM 1/21/2010 City Returns to Yellow Flag Alert – All Mandatory Evacuation Orders Lifted

The City of Sierra Madre has received a "No Phase" forecast from the L.A. County Public Works Department this afternoon. The Red Flag Alert is rescinded and the City will go to a Yellow Flag Alert. At this time, all Mandatory Evacuation Orders are lifted, and residents are allowed to return to their homes. Voluntary Evacuations are still in effect for the entire "Upper" canyon areas, "Lower" canyon areas, Auburn Ave. (private road areas only), and Lotus Lane (above the Sturtevant Debris Basin).
Immediately after receiving the County’s forecast, Sierra Madre Public Works crews surveyed the streets in the Upper and Lower canyons. It was determined that all roads are sufficiently clear and there were no hazards.
It was determined by City Officials, in conjunction with Public Safety personnel, that going to the Yellow Flag Alert was a prudent measure with the amount of rain that has fallen, and the on-going chance of rain and thunderstorms. All vehicles must be off the streets during a Yellow Flag Alert.
Additional Important Information:
o The City has closed the Community Recreation Center at 611 E. Sierra Madre Blvd as an evacuation location.
o Sand and sandbags will remain available 24 hours a day at the City Maintenance Facility until further notice. The address is 621 E. Sierra Madre Blvd. The sand and sandbags are located north of the Sierra Vista Park tennis courts, and next to the Sierra Madre Rose Float building. Residents must fill their own bags and are advised to bring a shovel.
o Bailey Canyon Park, Mt. Wilson Trail, and Chantry Road will remain closed until further notice.

Mandatory Evacuation Area Expanded

The City of Sierra Madre has expanded the Mandatory Evacuation Order to cover the entire “Upper” canyon areas and the entire “Lower” canyon areas.
Additional locations for Mandatory Evacuation Orders are possible for the next 48 hours.
Road Closures will take effect at various locations leading to the Mandatory Evacuation Order locations. These closures will be strictly enforced by the Sierra Madre Police Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department. The cooperation of our residents is crucial to the safety and protection of life and property in these areas.
Residents are asked to follow evacuation orders. Residents who prefer to stay in their homes threaten themselves, their neighbors, and emergency personnel.
The City has requested mutual aid from surrounding agencies including the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department.
An emergency meeting of the Sierra Madre City Council will be held this evening at 5:30PM in the City Council Chambers at City Hall. The Council will be considering a Declaration of a Local Emergency at this time. Such a declaration puts the City of Sierra Madre in a better position to recover costs that are associated with the emergency, as well as assisting our efforts in coordinating mutual aid.
Additional Important Information:
o The City has opened the Community Recreation Center at 611 E. Sierra Madre Blvd as an evacuation location. Crated animals will be allowed.
o The City will operate a shuttle to from Mt. Wilson Trail Park (“Turtle Park”) to the Community Recreation /Center from 11:00AM to 1:00PM this afternoon.
o Sand and sandbags are available 24 hours a day at the City Maintenance Facility. The address is 621 E. Sierra Madre Blvd. The sand and sandbags are located north of the Sierra Vista Park tennis courts, and next to the Sierra Madre Rose Float building. Residents must fill their own bags and are advised to bring a shovel.
o Bailey Canyon Park, Mt. Wilson Trail, and Chantry Road are all closed until further notice.
The City of Sierra Madre is appreciative of the diligent preparations and friendly cooperation that its residents have demonstrated through all of our recent emergencies.

City Upgrades to Red Flag, Some Neighborhoods Under Mandatory Evacuation Orders

City of Sierra Madre: Red Flag Alert 1/20/2010, 8:00AM.
Sierra Madre has made it through the first round of this week’s major storm event. There have been no reports of any injuries or major property damage. Skyland Drive has once again experienced the largest amounts of debris flows in the City.
The City would like to advise all residents that we have now issued a Red Flag Alert as a result of a Phase 2 Debris and Mudflow warning from the County of Los Angeles Public Works Department. Weather forecasts are predicting higher concentrations of rainfall in the area.
The following locations are now under a Mandatory Evacuation Order, effective noon today:
o All homes located on Skyland Drive.
o Woodland Drive between Yucca Trail and Sturtevant Drive.
o The upper and lower portions of Brookside Lane.
o Lotus Lane above the debris basin.
o The private sections of Auburn Avenue above Elm Street.
The above locations have been identified as having an increased chance of potentially heavy debris flows. Additionally, the City would like to make sure that all residents that live in the urban/wildlife interface to continue to be “set” to go at a moment’s notice and continue their emergency preparations. Additional locations for Mandatory Evacuation Orders are possible for the next 48 hours.
Additional Important Information:
o The City has opened the Community Recreation Center at 611 E. Sierra Madre Blvd as an evacuation location. Crated animals will be allowed.
o A debris deflection structure will be erected at the northern Brookside Lane & Woodland Drive intersection at approximately 8:00 AM. This will close northern Brookside Lane at the very top of Woodland Drive to all vehicular traffic.
o Sand and sandbags are available 24 hours a day at the City Maintenance Facility. The address is 621 E. Sierra Madre Blvd. The sand and sandbags are located north of the Sierra Vista Park tennis courts, and next to the Sierra Madre Rose Float building. Residents must fill their own bags and are advised to bring a shovel.
o Bailey Canyon Park, Mt. Wilson Trail, and Chantry Road are all closed until further notice.
The City of Sierra Madre is appreciative of the diligent preparations and friendly cooperation that its residents have demonstrated through all of our recent emergencies.
For updates and future emergency information, please be sure to monitor the City’s Communication tools:
City Website (www.cityofsierramadre.com)
SMTV3, (channel 3 on Time Warner Cable)
Sierra Madre Emergency Blog (www.sierramadrepio.blogspot.com.)
Email Alerts “eBlasts” - To register for email alerts please visit www.cityofsierramadre.com, click on AccessSierraMadre, and then click CommunicationLink to register your email address.

SMRFA WINS FIFTH CONSECUTIVE AWARD!!!

Congratulations to the Sierra Madre Rose Float Association, whose float "California Girls" won for the Association its FIFTH CONSECUTIVE AWARD. This year's float won the Governor's Trophy, given for Best Depiction of Life in California. Way to go SMRFA!! Click above photo to see it larger. Click the following link to view video of the final judging of "California Girls." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcUkodxRPps Click here to see more photos of the final judging. Photo Copyright Bill Coburn, 2009