MONTEREY (CBS SF) — A potent atmospheric river storm stalled over Monterey County Wednesday, dumping heavy rain on areas scarred by last fall’s of the Carmel, River and Dolan wildfires, triggering multiple mudslides in the county.
According to KION News reports, the Monterey County Regional Fire Protection District was working with other fire agencies in the region to assess properties affected by mud flows.
The agency said it has found 20 to 25 homes and outbuildings with damage due to mud flows, ranging from minor to severe. There were additional reports of two people hospitalized and dozens of animals requiring rescue.
While the National Weather Service lifted some warnings for the San Francisco Bay Area as the wide plume of airborne moisture moved south early Wednesday, forecasters have kept the flash flood warning in place of Monterey County until at least 3:15 p.m.
Flash Flood Warning including Monterey County, CA until 3:15 PM PST pic.twitter.com/sjaifzedTz
— NWS Bay Area (@NWSBayArea) January 27, 2021
By 10 a.m., Chalk Peak along the Big Sur coast had gotten nearly 6 inches of rain, Three Peaks had received 4.42 inches and Hunter Liggett nearly 3 inches of rain.
Forecasters issued an ominous warning that the atmospheric river was stalled over the Dolan burn zone.
“Model data suggests the atmospheric river will remain directly near or over the Dolan fire area over the next 12-18 hours as the atmospheric river tilts from westerly to more southwesterly oriented,” the NWS posted on Twitter.
Radar and satellite imagery indicates the atmospheric river has now stalled directly over the #Dolan fire.
Model data suggests the AR will remain directly near or over the #Dolan fire area over the next 12-18 hours as AR tilts from westerly to more southwesterly oriented#cawx pic.twitter.com/9ZW0FDKf5D
— NWS Bay Area (@NWSBayArea) January 27, 2021
At 12:30 p.m., the system had started to edge north, leading the National Weather Service to issue a wind advisory for the Santa Lucia Mountains, Los Padres National Forest and the Big Sur Coast that would last until 11 p.m.
The Atmospheric River has begun to move North again.
A Wind Advisory has been issued for areas along and south of the Atmospheric River boundary within the Santa Lucia Mountains, Los Padres National Forest, and the Big Sur Coast. This Advisory will be in effect until 11 PM. pic.twitter.com/Z80iN6UsYa— NWS Bay Area (@NWSBayArea) January 27, 2021
PG&E tells told KION reporter Elisha Machado that approximately 10,000 Monterey County customers are without power Wednesday afternoon as the storm continued to have impact on the region.
KION meteorologist Dann Cianca said that flash flood warnings remained in effect for all four burn scars in both Monterey and Santa Cruz counties.
***FLASH FLOOD WARNINGS***
… back in effect for all four burn scars in Monterey/Santa Cruz Counties. Heed evacuation alerts. Heavy rain is will return for the next few hours with flash flooding and debris flows likely. pic.twitter.com/yJ5PNK8A0b— Dann Cianca
(@danncianca) January 27, 2021
(@danncianca) The heavy rain triggered a mudslide in the River Road area near the Salinas River and Highway 101 south of Salinas. KSBW reported that at least one person was sent to the hospital and an estimated 50 large animals were in the process of being rescued.
The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Monterey County confirmed Wednesday afternoon that it had taken in 41 animals for shelter due to people having to evacuate the area.
As of Wednesday afternoon, SPCA Monterey County had taken in nine dogs, 14 cats, 17 horses and a donkey for residents who did not have anywhere else to take the animals.
Anyone in the county who needs assistance with sheltering animals is asked to call the organization at (831) 373-2631 during day hours and (831) 264-5424 at night.
River Road has been closed by the California Highway Patrol from Chualar River Road north to Parker Canyon Road due to flooding and mud.
MCRFD working with local property owners on damage assessment In the River Rd area. Thank you to all the local ranchers helping with heavy equipment needs. pic.twitter.com/9xcVPio9kT
— Mont. Co. Regional Fire (@mcrfd) January 27, 2021
The weather service said its tracking has the Big Sur coastline as the ‘bullseye’ for the storm front that has been intensified by the moisture from an atmospheric river.
“Our local in-house model is showing extensive storm totals in the Big Sur hills in excess of 20 inches with a bullseye amount in excess of 31 inches,” the weather service said.
Evacuation orders were issued Tuesday for parts of Monterey County in or downslope of burn scars from wildfires last year.
Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has issued an Evacuation Order for areas within and two miles downslope of Dolan Fire burn scar effective Tuesday, January 26th at 1:00 p.m. Evacuation Map: https://t.co/eAkQq5xKo8 pic.twitter.com/cgjCe28j2c
— Monterey County Office of Emergency Services (@MontereyCoOES) January 26, 2021
Forecasters said the rugged, mountainous geography of the region which draws millions of visitors annually will also play a role in intensifying the storm.
“The hills above Big Sur will be the perfect lifting mechanism to squeeze out moisture as the boundary will stall for upwards of 24 hours,” forecasters said. “The Dolan, Carmel and River burn areas from 2020 will be of great concern for mud and debris flow issues. Even without those this is the type of event that usually causes numerous rock and mudslides along Highway 1.”
Caltrans has shut down Highway 1 along the Big Sur coastline . The highway closure took effect at 5 p.m. Tuesday between Ragged Point in San Luis Obispo County and Deetjen’s Big Sur Inn in Monterey County and will remain in effect until Thursday.