Wednesday, November 26, 2008

City Downgrades to Green Flag Warning

The City of Sierra Madre has downgraded to a Green Flag Mud Alert for Sierra Madre residences in potential mud flow areas. There is still a 60% change 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 and cooperation during this mud threat.

Stay tuned for the monthly Mud Preparation Newsletters and Community Mud Meetings. The next meeting will be Wednesday, December 3 at 6:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 232 W. Sierra Madre Blvd.

Should there be more rain and 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. However, depending on the amount of rainfall and debris, streets may not be accessible before the Thanksgiving holiday and weekend.

All homeowners are encouraged to take proactive steps to protect their homes. Sand and bags will be available at the Public Works Yard (621 E. Sierra Madre Blvd.) and the Fire Station (232 W. Sierra Madre Blvd.). Able bodied volunteers not living in the potential mud flow areas are encouraged to help fill sandbags. Those interested in assisting with sandbags should contact James Carlson or Suzi McConnell at 626-355-7135.

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.

Yellow Flag Alert Continued

The City of Sierra Madre would like residents to know that the Yellow Flag Alert has been continued this morning, Wednesday, November 26th, 2008.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Works has extended their Phase One Mudflow Forecast.

Homeowners are recommended to continue to prepare for potential mudflows as directed in the previous entry below.


Posted by James at 9:04 AM

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Yellow Flag Alert

Yellow Flag Mud Alert Issued

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 forecasting a 90% chance of rain in Sierra Madre on Tuesday and a 70% chance on Wednesday, November 25 and 26, 2008. The quantity of precipitation is over 2” for Tuesday, decreasing on Wednesday.

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. However, depending on the amount of rainfall and debris, streets may not be accessible before the Thanksgiving holiday and weekend.

All homeowners are encouraged to take proactive steps to protect their homes. Sand and bags will be available at the Public Works Yard (621 E. Sierra Madre Blvd.) and the Fire Station (232 W. Sierra Madre Blvd.). Able bodied volunteers not living in the potential mud flow areas are encouraged to help fill sandbags. Those interested in assisting with sandbags should contact James Carlson or Suzi McConnell at 626-355-7135.

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.

Monday, November 24, 2008

Green Flag Mud Alert

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 90% chance of rain in Sierra Madre on Tuesday and Wednesday, November 25 and 26, 2008. The quantity of precipitation is over 2” for Tuesday, decreasing sharply for Wednesday.

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. However, depending on the amount of rainfall and debris, streets may not be accessible before the Thanksgiving holiday and weekend.

All homeowners are encouraged to take proactive steps to protect their homes. Sand and bags will be available at the Public Works Yard (621 E. Sierra Madre Blvd.) and the Fire Station (232 W. Sierra Madre Blvd.). Able bodied volunteers not living in the potential mud flow areas are encouraged to help fill sandbags. Those interested in assisting with sandbags should contact James Carlson or Suzi McConnell at 626-355-7135.

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.


Background on the Sierra Madre Mud Alert System:

A series of three different colored flags will be flown at four different locations in the City (City Hall, Search and Rescue, Mountain Trail and Churchill Road, and Mary’s Market). When possible, flags will be displayed indicating one of three stages of emergency. Be sure to check the website, email alerts, SMTV3 or simply call City Hall or the Police Department to confirm the current stage of emergency and please understand the City may not always have the ability to change these flags.

Stage One: GREEN FLAG - Activated under a prediction of 80% - 100% chance of precipitation. Affected residents should get “READY” for potential evacuation. This includes keeping a close watch on weather forecasts.

Stage Two: YELLOW FLAG - Activated with an LA County Phase 1 mudflow forecast. 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.

Stage Three: RED FLAG - Activated with an LA County Phase 2 or 3 forecast. Phase 2 includes moderate debris and mudflows at more widespread locations. Phase 3 - the potential exists for significant debris and mudflows to be widespread. Affected residents should “GO”, meaning they should immediately evacuate, and vehicles should not be parked on the streets.

A yellow or red flag may also trigger vehicles being towed from designated streets at the owners’ 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, and Holly Trail. The City is working to have these vehicles towed to local lots, please look to future mud newsletters for further details.

The Red Flag “GO” will trigger Information Check-in Centers to be opened at both Sierra Madre Public School Campuses. (160 N. Canon Ave. & 141 W. Highland Ave.) If you evacuate, please notify the Check-In Center so that we know you are safely out and have contact information to ensure you have timely notice of when it is safe to go back into your home. Additional information on Evacuation Shelters and pet lodging will be available at these locations. When evacuating, please plan to be as self-sufficient as possible with important paperwork, medications, and clothing for at least seven days.

Please note that Public Safety Officials do not take evacuation orders lightly and residents should heed these orders. Once mud begins to flow, Emergency Responders will NOT rescue those who failed to evacuate until the mud has stopped flowing and it is safe for responders to enter the mud flow areas.

Sunday, November 9, 2008

November 9, 2008 Green Flag Warning

Between 2:10 AM and 4:15 AM, there were periods of light, but steady rain. As of the most recent Canyon Zone check, the rain has ended and no obvious concerns were noted by patrol personnel.

As of 4:41 AM, no weather related service calls or reports of concerns have been received from the Canyon Zone or reported by the patrol personnel.

The situation will be monitored and a determination to lift the ‘green’ alert will occur later this morning, as a flash flood alert is still in force, between fire, police and, as needed, other emergency services personnel of the City.

The City EOC has not been activated.