The City of Sierra Madre issued a Red Flag Mud Alert late Sunday evening which has continued into today, Monday, February 16, 2009, after the Los Angeles County Public Works Department issued a Phase 2 Mud Alert. First responders for Police, Fire, Public Works, and Emergency Operations continue to stand by and are closely monitoring the storm. Please keep in mind for the safety of responding personnel, mud cannot be removed from the streets until it has stopped flowing. At this time, there have been no serious reports of mud damage or injuries.

Currently there are no mandatory evacuations underway. Residents in the mud flow areas should consider voluntarily evacuating as more rain is expected this afternoon. There will be no evacuation center opened until such a time as evacuations become mandatory.

The City would like to remind drivers to be cautious as there is excessive water in the streets.

A Red Flag Alert restricts parking on streets in the Upper and Lower Canyon. 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, Elm Ave, Sturtevant Dr. and Holly Trail. Vehicles left on the street may be towed at the owner’s expense. Overnight parking restrictions though the rest of the City are lifted during Flag Alerts.

The City would like to thank the residents for their continued preparation and due diligence during this rainstorm.

Posted by Elaine on February 16th @ 1:00 pm