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

City Rescinds Yellow Flag, No Alert at This Time

The City of Sierra Madre has rescinded the Yellow Flag alert and is now at a "no flag alert" situation. The Los Angeles County of Public Works has posted a message early this morning that their debris and mudflow potential forecast is not warranted at this time. Crews are working to clean up the mud that has been deposited on city streets.

The City would like to thank everyone for their diligent preparations.

800 block of Skyland is closed

Sent from iPhone. For more detail and additional (better) photos, visit www.SierraMudre.info

LACDPW Ends Phase I Watch for Sierra Madre

LACDPW has announced at 6:49am that “WATER RESOURCES DIVISION HAS DETERMINED THAT A DEBRIS AND MUDFLOW POTENTIAL FORECAST IS NOT WARRANTED AT THIS TIME.” In other words, Phase I alert for Sierra Madre has ended. This should also result in the City announcing shortly that Yellow Flag alert has ended.

City goes to Yellow Flag

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 8:00 AM, Saturday, December 12, 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 day and 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.

Status Change Early Sunday Evening

LACDPW has issued a Phase II watch for Sierra Madre, and the City has upgraded to Red Flag Alert Status. Both notices are posted at www.SierraMudre.Info. The City's emergency blog address is http://sierramadrepio.blogspot.com

National Weather Service Predicts Storm Delay, Says We Could Receive Up To 7 Inches of Rain

2/13/09 10:45AM - Pulled from National Weather Service website, emphasis mine Latest models have slowed down the next significant storm system that was due to affect the forecast by Sunday. However...the progression has slowed nearly 8 to 12 hours. Therefore the  much stronger...storm system will begin to move across the area by Sunday  afternoon to the north and through Ventura and Los Angeles counties by Sunday night and persist through Monday night. The threat of precipitation will continue through Tuesday. At this time...rain should begin across San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties late Sunday afternoon...then spread into Ventura and Los Angeles counties  Sunday night and Monday. Periods of moderate to locally heavy rainfall can be expected Sunday night and Monday...with the rain turning to showers Monday night and Tuesday. Initial rainfall estimates for this system range from 1 to 3 inches for coast and valley locations...with between 2 and 5 inches in the foothills and mountains. Due to strong southerly flow ahead of the frontal system...south-facing slopes could receive locally higher amounts to 7 inches.

This is me here...didn't I read recently that we should expect La Nina conditions, i.e., a dry winter? How does up to 7 inches in one storm get defined as part of a dry winter?

LACDPW Issues Phase I Watch, City Goes on Yellow Alert

At 4:52pm, I received notice that LACDPW had issued a Phase 1 watch, and at 5:34pm, I was notified that the City has upgraded to a Yellow Flag Alert status. Both notices have now been posted at www.SierraMudre.Info.

City Upgrades to Green Flag Alert Status

Posted at SierraMudre.Info:
The National Weather Service has posted an 80% chance of rain for Wednesday, with enough precipitation to produce debris flows. Thus, the City of Sierra Madre has issued a Green Flag Alert. For more information please visit www.cityofsierramadre.com.

Looking good mid-day on Christmas

12/25/08, 1:20pm - Just took a drive around, shortly after we'd had a bit of a downpour, probably the hardest rain of the "storm" so far. Went up by One Carter, up to Skyland, over by Mary's Market up past Yucca Drive to Skyland, then up Camillo onto Sunrise Hill. Everything looks pretty good. Saw some dirty water on Woodland, looked like it came down off Yucca Trail, but it was just dirty water, no mud. One Carter looked fine at the top of Baldwin, but as you head across Carter towards Miramonte, the other gate was a little more backed up, with dirty water coming down off there, as well. Posted some pics from One Carter at www.SierraMudre.Info.

City to downgrade alert status

Just received word from City staff that they are in the process of downgrading to Yellow Flag alert. Should be official any minute.

LACDPW Extends Alert, Downgrades to Phase I

LACDPW Extends Alert through 4am, 12/26/08, Downgrades to Phase I, received at 6:25am, posted at Sierra Mudre.Info at 6:56am.
LACDPW has extended its Mudflow Alert through 4am tomorrow, December 26th, with a change in status to Phase I, The notice can be viewed at www.SierraMudre.Info.

LACDPW Extends Phase II Alert Through 4pm Tomorrow

LACDPW Extends Phase II Alert through 4pm, Christmas, received 6:07pm, posted at Sierra Mudre.Info at 6:21pm
LACDPW has extended its Phase II Alert through 4pm tomorrow, Christmas day. No change in status, just an extension of the time frame. The notice can be viewed at www.SierraMudre.Info.

LACDPW Issues Phase II alert, and the City of Sierra Madre Upgrades to Red Flag Status

The LACDPW has issued a Phase II alert, and the City of Sierra Madre has upgraded to Red Flag status. Both notices are posted at www.SierraMudre.Info.

City of Sierra Madre Repeals Yellow Flag Warning

At 9:10am, the City's emergency blog noted that the City has repealed the Yellow Flag warning. At 9:12, the www.SierraMudre.Info website was updated to reflect the new status.

Here's the City's announcement:

The Los Angeles County of Public Works has removed the Phase 1 mudflow alert and the National Weather Service is not predicting any chance of precipitation for today, Thursday, December 18, 2008. Therefore, the City of Sierra Madre has removed all flag alerts at this time. The City would like to express their gratitude to the residents for their patience and diligence during this latest rain event. The National Weather Service is predicting a slight chance of rain in the next few days and the City would like everyone to keep an eye on weather reports and remain prepared for events in the future. Thank you!

LACDPW Extends Mudflow Alert

LACDPW Extends Alert till 4am 12/18/08, received 7:29am, posted at SierraMudre.Info at 7:40am
No change in status for Sierra Madre, but the alert has been extended through 4am tomorrow. The document is available for viewing at www.SierraMudre.Info.

City of Sierra Madre Issues Yellow Flag Alert

City of Sierra Madre Issues Yellow Flag Alert Warning, 9:02am, 12/14/08, posted on SierraMudre.Info at 9:12am
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 saying light rain will start at 4 pm today, Sunday, December 14, turning to heavy rain at 10 pm. NWS has issued a flash flood watch.

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.
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.