Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Sierra Madre Issues Green Flag Alert

City of Sierra Madre Issues Green Flag Alert
3/23/2011, 8:45am

The City of Sierra Madre has issued a Green Flag Alert for mudslides and debris flows in the hillside communities. The National Weather Service has forecasted an 80% to 100% chance of precipitation for today and 80% chance into Thursday evening.

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. This includes residents of the Upper and Lower Canyon as well as any resident whose property abuts the hillsides.

As we are in the midst of the rain season, City Officials would like to remind residents of our mud and debris flow alert system.

A series of three different colored flags will be flown at four different locations in the City (City Hall, Search and Rescue Station, Mountain Trail at 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, AM 1630, 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 the moment conditions or forecasts change.

The City has identified a number of streets that will need to be clear of all vehicles during a Yellow Flag or Red Flag alert. The affected streets are: Mount Wilson Trail, Churchill Road, Skyland Drive, Fern Glen, Fern Drive, Idlehour Lane, Canyon Crest Drive, Orange Drive, Woodland Drive, Brookside Lane, Sturtevant Drive, Sunnyside Lane, and Yucca Trail.
The Yellow and Red Flag Alerts will trigger vehicles being towed from these streets at the owners’ expense.

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.

When evacuating, please plan to be as self-sufficient as possible with important paperwork, medications, and clothing for at least seven days. It is important anticipate a possible evacuation order, and make plans for your pets in advance.

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.

For more information about mudslide and debris flow preparations, please visit www.cityofsierramadre.com and click “Emergency Preparedness Information” and on the home page. Updates will also be issued on SMTV3 (Time Warner-channel 3), Sierra Madre Community Radio (AM 1630), and the City’s Emergency Blog (http://sierramadrepio.blogspot.com).

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Yellow Flag Alert

Sierra Madre Issues a Yellow Flag Alert
March 19, 2011. 7:05pm

The City of Sierra Madre has issued a Yellow Flag Alert. The County of Los Angeles Public Works Department has issued a Phase 1 Mudflow Forecast.

A Phase 1 indicates that small isolated debris and mudflows are possible at specific locations.

Streets may be flooded or blocked by debris. Woodland Drive, Skyland Drive, and other streets may be closed due to blockage. Should debris flows occur overnight, crews will begin clearing the following morning.

Parking restrictions are now in effect in the Upper and Lower Canyon during Yellow or Red Flag alerts. Vehicles parked on the streets 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 (upper, middle, and lower segments), Sunnyside Lane, Sturtevant Dr., and Yucca Trail. Overnight parking restrictions through the rest of the city are lifted during Yellow or Red Flag Alerts.

The City Public Works Department may determine that Upper Brookside Lane and the very northern portion of Woodland Drive will be closed and a temporary debris wall will be erected.

Residents in the affected areas are urged to be "set" to leave at a moment’s notice and may choose to voluntarily evacuate. In the event the City receives a Phase 2 or Phase 3 alert from the County, a Red Flag Alert will be issued that will most likely include mandatory evacuation orders. Evacuated residents will not be allowed to return into an evacuation area until the order is lifted.


For additional information and updates:

PHONE: City Hall - 626-355-7135 (business hours 7:30am – 5:30pm)
Police Dept - 626-355-1414 (non-emergency, 911 for emergencies)

City Website (http://www.cityofsierramadre.com/)

SMTV3, (channel 3 on Time Warner Cable)

Sierra Madre Emergency Blog (http://www.sierramadrepio.blogspot.com/)

Community Radio – AM 1630

Email Alerts “eBlasts” – Register to receive email notices by clicking the link on the City’s website homepage.

Sierra Madre Issues Green Flag Alert

City of Sierra Madre Issues Green Flag Alert
3/19/2011, 12:45pm

The City of Sierra Madre has issued a Green Flag Alert for mudslides and debris flows in the hillside communities. The National Weather Service has forecasted scattered showers and rain likely beginning this evening, and a 90% to 100% chance of precipitation for tomorrow (Sunday 3/20/2011).

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. This includes residents of the Upper and Lower Canyon as well as any resident whose property abuts the hillsides.

As we are in the midst of the rain season, City Officials would like to remind residents of our mud and debris flow alert system.

A series of three different colored flags will be flown at four different locations in the City (City Hall, Search and Rescue Station, Mountain Trail at 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, AM 1630, 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 the moment conditions or forecasts change.

The City has identified a number of streets that will need to be clear of all vehicles during a Yellow Flag or Red Flag alert. The affected streets are: Mount Wilson Trail, Churchill Road, Skyland Drive, Fern Glen, Fern Drive, Idlehour Lane, Canyon Crest Drive, Orange Drive, Woodland Drive, Brookside Lane, Sturtevant Drive, Sunnyside Lane, and Yucca Trail.
The Yellow and Red Flag Alerts will trigger vehicles being towed from these streets at the owners’ expense.

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.

When evacuating, please plan to be as self-sufficient as possible with important paperwork, medications, and clothing for at least seven days. It is important anticipate a possible evacuation order, and make plans for your pets in advance.

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.

For more information about mudslide and debris flow preparations, please visit www.cityofsierramadre.com and click “Emergency Preparedness Information” and on the home page. Updates will also be issued on SMTV3 (Time Warner-channel 3), Sierra Madre Community Radio (AM 1630), and the City’s Emergency Blog (http://sierramadrepio.blogspot.com).