City Reverts to Green Flag

The City of Sierra Madre has moved to a Green Flag Alert for mudslides and debris flows in the hillside communities.
Mandatory Evacuation orders have been lifted for all areas in the City of Sierra Madre.
City officials are closely watching local rain forecasts. The National Weather Service has posted an 80% chance of rain for this evening (Saturday, 1/6/2010).
A Green Flag Alert is issued when there is an 80% chance or more of precipitation. Affected residents should get ready for potential evacuation and keep close watch on weather forecasts.
There still the possibility of hazards as streets may become flooded or blocked by debris with the intermittent storm cells that may pass over the area this evening. Parking restrictions have been lifted for the Upper and Lower Canyon.
Sandbags are available at the City Yards. Residents must fill and transport their own bags.
Bailey Canyon Park, Mt. Wilson Trail, and Chantry Road will remain closed until further notice.

Mud update, 1:30ish

The City Council will be meeting at 4:30pm to declare a state of emergency, which will make us eligible for additional services and money, especially if the Governor does the same thing. I went and took a look around, it doesn't look as bad as I thought it would. The Public Works folks are doing a good job cleaning up, but we're still on red flag. I tried to upload real time pics from the field, but the text came through without the pictures. I'll be posting a more comprehensive report and some photos at www.SierraMudre.info.

Red Flag Mud Alert Issued

The City of Sierra Madre issued a Red Flag Mud Alert for Sierra Madre residences in potential mud flow areas. The Los Angels County Public Works Department issued a Phase 2 Mud Alert. A Phase 2 Alert indicates moderate debris and mudflows at widespread locations. Phase 3 – the potential exists for significant debris and mudflows to be widespread. Mandatory evacuations are in place.

The following locations are now under a Mandatory Evacuation Order and the streets are closed to both vehicular and pedestrian traffic:

- All streets above Churchill and Canyon Crest
- All streets above Brookside and Sturtevant
- All streets above Lotus Lane at Camillo
- The private sections of Auburn Avenue above Elm Street.

Additional Important Information:

- An evacuations center has been set up at the Community Recreation Center, 611 E. Sierra Madre Blvd.

- A debris deflection structure will be erected at the northern Brookside Lane & Woodland Drive intersection by 1:00 PM.

- 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.

- 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.
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.

Mudflow on Skyland, City Upgrades to Yellow Flag Alert

(Saturday, 2/6/10, 5:05am) Just spoke with SMPD Watch Commander Kamchamnan who informed me that within the last hour there was mud flow at 801 Skyland. Skyland at that location is now closed. Sgt. Kamchamnan also informed me that the City has upgraded to Yellow Flag alert status, and we will be receiving notices from the City to that effect shortly.
For official information about mudslide and debris flow preparations, please visit www.cityofsierramadre.com and click “Emergency Preparedness Links” and “Ready for 7” on the home page. Updates will also be issued on SMTV3 (Time Warner-channel 3) and the City’s Emergency Blog (http://sierramadrepio.blogspot.com/). For additional (unofficial) information, please visit www.SierraMudre.info