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FEMA Grants the County of Monterey Additional Disaster Relief

January 27, 2023 – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) amended the California Major Disaster Declaration yesterday, January 26, 2023, to include additional grant funding for permanent work to County infrastructure, that were already designated for Individual Assistance and assistance for debris removal and emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance, under the Public Assistance Program. (See link to the 4683-DR-CA Amendment 005: https://www.fema.gov/disaster-federal-register- notice/4683-dr-ca-amendment-005)

What this specifically means for Monterey County is funding to complete permanent work to restore critical infrastructure to its pre-disaster design. The amendment also allows the county to receive reimbursement for necessary repairs to public infrastructure that are not considered an emergency protective measure, such as the road failure in Carmel at Scenic Drive (picture attached).

FEMA’s requirements are very specific, meaning the projects must be built back to the original state before it was destroyed. The funding does not allow for improvements or betterment to reduce the risk of the infrastructure failing again in a future disaster. However, with Public Assistance funding as defined by FEMA’s categories C-G, it will allow the county to reduce the risk of infrastructure failing again in future disasters utilizing Section 406 Hazard Mitigation funding, which is allowable under categories C-G. Examples of such measures include constructing floodwalls around damaged facilities; installing new drainage facilities (including culverts) along a damaged road; dry floodproofing both damaged and undamaged buildings.

The action that FEMA took yesterday will also benefit other entities within the County. Municipal jurisdictions, special districts, and non-profits within Monterey County should contact the Recovery Branch in the Monterey County Emergency Operations Center if they have sustained any damages, debris, or emergency work related to the 2022-2023 Winter Storms. For more information e-mail emmonsl@co.monterey.ca.us or call 831-796-1900.

The team at the County of Monterey’s Department of Emergency Management have been working tirelessly to get access to as much federal resources as possible to help our residents and stakeholders get their lives back to normal as quickly as possible,” said Tracy Molfino, Interim Department Manager. He continued, “This has been a heroic team effort and I am proud of the work our county employees are doing to help the community recover from this current disaster.”

Stan Russell
Big Sur Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 87
Big Sur, CA 93920
(831) 667-2100
http://www.bigsurcalifornia.org
http://www.thebigsurblog.com
http://www.twitter.com/BigSurCC
https://www.facebook.com/BigSurInformation

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Date: Friday, January 27, 2023, at 5:15 p.m.
District: 05 – Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz Counties
Contact: Kevin Drabinski or Alexa Bertola
Phone: (805) 549-3138 or (805) 549-3237

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

UPDATE #19
GOOD PROGRESS AS REPAIRS CONTINUE TO HIGHWAY 1
ON THE BIG SUR COAST

MONTEREY / SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTIES – Caltrans and contracted crews continue to repair damages to Highway 1 which have resulted in a closure of the roadway from just south of Ragged Point in San Luis Obispo County to Lime Creek in Monterey County.

Polar Star
A major slide took place at Polar Star, one mile south of Ragged Point in San Luis Obispo County on Jan. 4, 2023. Crews have continued make good progress working from the top of this slide and have addressed major drainage control issues. Crews are removing roughly 2,000 cubic yards of material every day.

The estimated time for the reopening of Highway 1 through Polar Star is three weeks, weather permitting.

SLO / Monterey County Line
Repairs continue at two locations near the county line. At the first, just south of the county line in San Luis Obispo County, crews with excavators continue to remove slide material from the roadway. At the second, at PM 0.8 in Monterey County, crews are addressing the failure of an embankment. Once the roadway is open for travel at Polar Star, access through PM 0.8 will be available to the public but will be subject to one-way reversing traffic control with the installation of a temporary signal.

Mill Creek Slide
After a major slide at Mill Creek at PM 18 on Jan. 15, 2023, crews initially cleared a pathway in the highway to permit staff and heavy equipment to get in position to make repairs. The slope of the slide at Mill Creek is incredibly steep and a specialized spider excavator was brought in to work the slide from the top down. A second spider excavator began work there today. Other heavy equipment will join the effort as slope conditions permit. Work over the next weeks will bring debris down on to the roadway removing the opportunity for travel through the slide area.

The estimated time for the reopening of Highway 1 through Mill Creek is three weeks.

Paul’s Slide
Activity at Paul’s Slide at PM 22, accelerated with recent rains and major activity took place there on Jan. 14, 2023. With the slide having pushed segments of the concrete barriers of the catchment all the way across the road, contracted crews are getting by driving on part of the southbound lane and the shoulder, and then only with the help of spotters.

Unfortunately, many large-scale landslides do not release until a few months after a storm has passed, so continued monitoring at Paul’s is warranted. At present, it is not possible to remove debris material from the catchment area or the toe of the slide as it is providing a resisting force against the driving force of the slide from above.

Crews flew unmanned aircraft over the slide area to gather data to be used in selecting strategies for designing possible engineering solutions. Initial reports indicate that the slide activity has been substantial and will likely require a major removal of material from the slope which could take several months.

The estimated time for the reopening of Highway 1 through Paul’s Slide is unknown at this time. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

Highway 1 From North of Paul’s Slide to Lime Creek
Crews are working at a location known as Morning Glory at PM 23.5 where one lane of the highway is settling dramatically. Crews continue to patch the roadway using cold mix asphalt. Crews also continue to remove slide material at PM 25 which has covered the northbound lane. Additionally, crews are at work to replace a guardrail at PM 30.6 where the roadway and embankment has been undermined by storm erosion.

Note: It is currently estimated that Highway 1 will reopen between the north gate at Paul’s Slide at PM 22 and the current closure at Lime Creek at PM 32 on Friday, Feb. 3. Signs at southbound Highway 1 at Lime Creek will alert travelers that the road is closed except for travel by locals.

The closure of Highway 1 from the southern approach in San Luis Obispo County continues to be set at the elephant seal vista area, four miles north of San Simeon. That location was selected as it provides an opportunity for large vehicles to turn around, an opportunity that is largely unavailable north of that location.

Road information and updates can also be found on Caltrans District 5 Social Media platforms: Twitter at: @CaltransD5, Facebook at: Caltrans Central Coast (District 5) and Instagram at: Caltrans_D5.

Our crews deserve to get home safely too.
Drive slowly and carefully in work zones.

CHP Traffic Incident Information Page: http://cad.chp.ca.gov
Traveler information at: https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/

| #BeWorkZoneAlert | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube

Crews continue to make progress at Polar Star Slide, Jan. 26, 2023.

Spider excavator at Mill Creek Slide, Jan. 26, 2023.

Stan Russell
Big Sur Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 87
Big Sur, CA 93920
(831) 667-2100
http://www.bigsurcalifornia.org
http://www.thebigsurblog.com
http://www.twitter.com/BigSurCC
https://www.facebook.com/BigSurInformation

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Greetings!

In collaboration with San Benito, Monterey, and Santa Cruz Counties, CADRE will hold a Storm Check-In call on Tuesday, January 31 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Zoom. REGISTER

The purpose is to report any emergency-related unmet needs / unanswered questions and find solutions. We’ll also capture suggested improvements that can be implemented now and later.

BEFORE THE MEETING, please fill out this survey. It will take less than 5 minutes. It asks about the impacts of the storm on your organization and your clients. It will help us form the discussion topics.

Marsha Hovey, Executive Director Collaborating Agencies’ Disaster Relief Effort
408-722-1210
Duty Officer 408-622-0822
CADRE www.cadresv.org

Add your voice. Join the Network!
Sign up for our Newsletter
Follow on Facebook

Tri-County_CheckIn_013123v2.pdf

Stan Russell
Big Sur Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 87
Big Sur, CA 93920
(831) 667-2100
http://www.bigsurcalifornia.org
http://www.thebigsurblog.com
http://www.twitter.com/BigSurCC
https://www.facebook.com/BigSurInformation

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Pacific Valley School PTO
created a GoFundMe for families in need

Pacific Valley School has been severely affected by the 2023 winter storms. Our school is located in the area between road closures on Highway 1. To the north of us are the Mill Creek Slide and Paul’s Slide, and to the south is the Polar Star slide. Our school has been closed for the month of January and will continue to be closed for the remainder of these closures, of which the soonest expected opening will be in 4 weeks. During this time we are schooling from home.

Many of the families are struggling financially because of either the inability to get to work or because the businesses here where they normally work are closed. Some of the families have had no income since the beginning of these closures, which started at the end of December. They are struggling to pay their bills and buy food, which is being delivered via helicopter, and as long as the school and road is closed this will be an ongoing stress.

The Pacific Valley School PTO has created a GoFundMe to help us raise funds for our school’s families. Please consider a contribution to help alleviate some of the challenges our community is currently facing.
GoFundMe web site: https://gofund.me/8adb063b

Stan Russell
Big Sur Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 87
Big Sur, CA 93920
(831) 667-2100
http://www.bigsurcalifornia.org
http://www.thebigsurblog.com
http://www.twitter.com/BigSurCC
https://www.facebook.com/BigSurInformation

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County Communications was able to get a couple photos from today’s airlift to Big Sur to share.

This was a successful first mission, bringing bottled water and MREs – Meals Ready to Eat – to Big Sur residents isolated by the Highway 1 road closure zones. Supplies were dropped at the Sand Dollar Day Use area. A second mission to deliver groceries, pet food, medications and more, is scheduled for Friday.

Maia Carroll
Communications Coordinator
County of Monterey

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Stan Russell
Big Sur Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 87
Big Sur, CA 93920
(831) 667-2100
http://www.bigsurcalifornia.org
http://www.thebigsurblog.com
http://www.twitter.com/BigSurCC
https://www.facebook.com/BigSurInformation

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January 25, 2023 Big Sur Commodity Distribution Update Residents and businesses located within the Highway 1 closure between Paul’s Slide and the Polar Star rockslide will have supplies delivered via a helicopter. The County of Monterey Department of Emergency Management is working with Unified Command, Big Sur Fire and the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office and the California Highway Patrol Air Unit, to coordinate the delivery of essential goods to communities isolated by landslides on State Route 1. Thursday, January 26th from 12:00pm-2:00pm: The CHP Helicopter operations will lift large supplies of bottled water and Meals Ready to Eat (MREs) to be delivered at the Sand Dollar Day Use Area. Friday, January 27th from 12:00pm-2:00pm: The CHP Helicopter operations will lift groceries, medication, pet food and other essential to be delivered at the Sand Dollar Day Use Area. Supply Pick-Up Location: The supply pick up location for residents within the highway closure will be at United States Forest Service (USFS) Sand Dollar Day Use area. Big Sur Fire will be at Sand Dollar Day Use Area to coordinate the distribution of supplies. Residents should plan to pick up their supplies between 12:00p-2:00pm. The CHP Helicopter will make multiple trips throughout this time period. The Community Association of Big Sur (CABS) has been working directly with impacted residents and coordinated grocery orders through the Safeway at The Crossroads and coordinated pet and livestock needs through the SPCA for Monterey County. In addition, Big Sur residents who rely on the generosity of the Monterey County Food Bank with Big Sur Big Share will be providing food for residents who may not have the resources to purchase food at this time, missed the window to order food, or may not have ordered enough food. Any food remaining will be located at Pacific Valley School for further distribution. A huge thank you to CABS, Big Sur CERT volunteers and the Big Sur Health Center for coordinating efforts to bring these critical needs to the impacted residents. The Big Sur community is resilient and comes together in times of crisis to support one another. In collaboration with Unified Command, the County of Monterey Department of Emergency Management will continue to plan for additional commodity air lifts in the weeks to come until such time that roads are safe to pass with vehicles. Nicholas M. Pasculli County Communications Director Chief Public Information Officer County Administrative Office 168 W. Alisal Street, 3rd Floor Salinas, CA 93901 (831) 796-3094 PasculliN View Press Release PDF

Stan Russell
Big Sur Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 87
Big Sur, CA 93920
(831) 667-2100
http://www.bigsurcalifornia.org
http://www.thebigsurblog.com
http://www.twitter.com/BigSurCC
https://www.facebook.com/BigSurInformation

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Attention Community Partners,

This is a very important update regarding the Local Assistance Centers (LAC).

The Spreckels LAC is closing at 7:00 pm Thursday, January 26.

A New LAC will open at 9:00 am this Saturday, January 28 and remain open until Sunday, February 5 at 7:00 pm

We are attaching all new graphics. Please follow the posting instructions below:

1. The CLOSED graphics please do not post prior to 5:00 pm Thursday, January 26
2. The NEW LOCATION graphics please post first thing Friday, 8:00 am January 27
3. The new location with out the star burst you can start posting that first thing Monday, January 30
4. The services graphics can continue to be posted at any time.

I hope this all makes sense.

Thank you,

Nicholas M. Pasculli County Communications Director Chief Public Information Officer County Administrative Office 168 W. Alisal Street, 3rd Floor Salinas, CA 93901 (831) 796-3094 PasculliN

spreckels lac closed sp

updated lac info 1

updated lac info 1 sp

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spreckels lac closed

Big Sur Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 87
Big Sur, CA 93920
(831) 667-2100
http://www.bigsurcalifornia.org
http://www.thebigsurblog.com
http://www.twitter.com/BigSurCC
https://www.facebook.com/BigSurInformation

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For Immediate Release Tuesday, January 24, 2023 County of Monterey Local Assistance Center Day 4 Local, state and federal collaborators are ending Day 4 of the County of Monterey Local Assistance Center (LAC) for those impacted by the 2023 storms, which is located at the Spreckels Veterans Memorial Building. Here is some data to share. Another good day! The number of families/households now registered for assistance: 1,475. Monday’s total was 939. MST continues to provide bus service to and from the Center from San Ardo and Pajaro. This helps those residents already economically impacted save the cost of driving to get assistance. Today’s highlight is the increased connection of storm impacted residents to state services. While FEMA has some limitations for assistance, locals are able to connect with state agencies and other providers for help. Planning for Next Steps This Local Assistance Center will close end of the day Thursday, January 26th, but these services are not going away! Plans are in the works for a second location to open Saturday January 28th. More details to come on this. If you know someone who is not able to come in person to the Local Assistance Center, there is a virtual Assistance Center online and always available: https://www.co.monterey.ca.us/winterstormsVirtualLAC. The Virtual Local Assistance Center offers extensive information and sources for re-entry, recovery, and eligibility for economic injury, physical damage, or individual assistance for both residents and businesses. This is an online, ‘one stop’ shop for resources for those affected by the 2023 Winter Storms. Thank you in advance for helping us share this information and a reminder the Assistance Center will be open 9am – 7 pm through January 26th. Maia Carroll Communications Coordinator County of Monterey

Stan Russell
Big Sur Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 87
Big Sur, CA 93920
(831) 667-2100
http://www.bigsurcalifornia.org
http://www.thebigsurblog.com
http://www.twitter.com/BigSurCC
https://www.facebook.com/BigSurInformation

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CALTRANS
Date: Tuesday, January 24, 2023, at 2:30 p.m.
District: 05 – Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz Counties
Contact: Kevin Drabinski or Alexa Bertola
Phone: (805) 549-3138 or (805) 549-3237

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

UPDATE #18
HIGHWAY 1 REMAINS CLOSED AS REPAIRS CONTINUE
AT THREE MAJOR SLIDES

MONTEREY / SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTIES – Three major slides on Highway 1 on the Big Sur coast continue to keep the roadway closed. Repairs are underway at Paul’s Slide PM 22, the Mill Creek slide at PM 18, and at the Polar Star slide in northern San Luis Obispo County, one mile south of Ragged Point.

Paul’s Slide PM 22 / Major Activity Took Place Jan. 14, 2023
Paul’s Slide has once again accelerated in response to the recent heavy rainfall. The longstanding strategy of maintaining a catchment area protecting the highway with k-rail and a flexible rockfall fence is no longer feasible. The slide has advanced into the catchment area, over the protective k-rail and fence, and into the traveled way. Debris slides, flowing mud, and rockfall, now travel down slope directly onto the traveled way with nothing to stop them. Movement of the slide is unpredictable; the slope continues to adjust as the slide moves, causing material to flow and rocks to roll into the remaining lane.

The estimated time to reopen Highway 1 at Paul’s Slide with lane closures and traffic control in effect is three to four weeks.

Mill Creek Slide PM 18 / Major Activity Took Place Jan. 15, 2023
This slide flowed out and over the cut slope above northbound Highway 1 and onto both lanes of the roadway. Maintenance and contracted crews cut through the slide material along the highway, leaving a saturated soil mass that is actively pumping out water and mud onto the highway. Caltrans directed the contractor to stop digging into the slide and to wait until access from above the slide could be accomplished to remove it safely. The headscarp of the slide is approximately 100 feet above the highway and water is pumping from a spring into the displaced slide material between the headscarp and the highway below the slide. The saturated and oversteepened slope is on the edge of stability and is very likely to fail catastrophically, that is, in a rapid manner, in the near future.

The estimated time to reopen Highway 1 at Mill Creek is three to four weeks.

Polar Star / Major Activity Took Place Jan. 4, 2023
The slide at Polar Star brought rocky debris material down to the roadway which made it impossible to begin repairs working from the side of the slide at roadway level. Crews cut a path through the base of the accumulated rock debris in order to gain access for equipment, which is being used to remove the slide material, and which is helping advance the work of restoring safe highway access. The failure of the rocky material could occur at any time and has been failing slowly since the pathway was cut, constantly bringing rocks and soil down to the roadway from the oversteepened temporary cut. Unlike Paul’s Slide, there is no catchment area to offer a buffer between the slope and the roadway. As of Jan. 21, crews were able to begin work from above the slide, working down, and they continue to make progress on the slope cut and with slide removal. These repairs continue to bring material down which covers the entire roadbed.

Weather permitting, the estimated time to reopen Highway 1, for at least limited access at Polar Star, is now set at 4 weeks due to the progress made on the slide in recent days.

Passage is prohibited through Paul’s Slide, through Mill Creek, and through Polar Star, due to the dangerous conditions that exist at these slides.

Anyone attempting to pass through these slide areas are advised that they are not only putting themselves at grave risk, but they are also transferring that risk to public safety and first responder teams who would have to respond to any incidents.

Caltrans is committed to providing access to the roadway as soon as road conditions permit. Updates will be provided as soon as new information becomes available.

The closure of Highway 1 from the southern approach in San Luis Obispo County is located at the elephant seal vista area, four miles north of San Simeon. That location was selected as it provides an opportunity for large vehicles to turn around, an opportunity that is largely unavailable north of that location.

Road information and updates can also be found on Caltrans District 5 Social Media platforms: Twitter at: @CaltransD5, Facebook at: Caltrans Central Coast (District 5) and Instagram at: Caltrans_D5.

Our crews deserve to get home safely too.
Drive slowly and carefully in work zones.

CHP Traffic Incident Information Page: http://cad.chp.ca.gov
Traveler information at: https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/

Paul’s Slide, Jan. 15, 2023

Paul’s Slide, Jan. 15, 2023

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image004

image005

Polar Star, Jan. 5, 2023

Polar Star, Jan. 23, 2023

Stan Russell
Big Sur Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 87
Big Sur, CA 93920
(831) 667-2100
http://www.bigsurcalifornia.org
http://www.thebigsurblog.com
http://www.twitter.com/BigSurCC
https://www.facebook.com/BigSurInformation

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Dear Partners, We are very concerned about the situation in Big Sur and we would be grateful if you put some light on it. The additional part of the message we want to get across based on information received recently. “Residents, property owners, and tourist “shall not” attempt to pass thru the slide areas on and around State Route 1 in Big Sur. It is very unsafe, the ground is unstable and the threat of potential loss of life is real. All partner agencies (Caltrans, Big Sur Fire Department, CHP, County Public Works, CalOES, and the Department of Emergency Management) are urging people to obey the road closures. Finally, in the event of any emergency situation, residents should not hesitate to call 911.” Attached is the official statement released on Sunday, January 22 evening. Thank you for your support. Nicholas M. Pasculli County Communications Director Chief Public Information Officer County Administrative Office 168 W. Alisal Street, 3rd Floor Salinas, CA 93901 (831) 796-3094 O/M PasculliN Download Sunday, January 22 Statement

Stan Russell
Big Sur Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 87
Big Sur, CA 93920
(831) 667-2100
http://www.bigsurcalifornia.org
http://www.thebigsurblog.com
http://www.twitter.com/BigSurCC
https://www.facebook.com/BigSurInformation