Opinion: Congratulations to Monrovia for How It Handled Flash Flood Danger

With the rain apparently gone for now, and thankfully not as bad as it might have been, it seems like a good time to say how impressed I was with the City of Monrovia's disaster preparation, and by how smoothly the plan was carried out.

The city - fire and police in particular - seemed well coordinated; police were joined by fellow officers from other local communities, who seemed to fit right in without confusion; the city's emergency operations center seemed to know what was going on minute by minute; communications with the public and media was well organized; robotic calls went out to residents who might have been affected by flooding; an emergency evacuation center was ready; volunteers were involved and seemed to know what they needed to do; there was even temporary pet boarding arranged by the Pasadena Humane Society (which now contracts with Monrovia) and discounts arranged at local hotels.

Well done! Very well done indeed!

- Brad Haugaard

Talk on Hillside Wilderness Preserve | History of Lt. Col. Allen Allensworth

~ Former Community Development Director Alice Griselle, who retired from her position with the City three years ago, will give a talk on the history of the creation of the Wilderness Preserve at the home of Monrovia Historic Preservation Group member Betty Sanford, at 561 N. Alta Vista Ave. Saturday, March 22 at 10:30 a.m. 599-8187. Source: MOHPG newsletter

~ Interesting article by Susie Ling in the Monrovia Historic Preservation Group's latest newsletter on former Lieutenant Colonel Allen Allensworth, who served in the Civil War and in the Philippines and was the highest ranking black officer of his time. Allensworth donated $500 to help establish Second Baptist Church of Monrovia, and was its first pastor. He died in a motorcycle accident 100 years ago, near the 1300 block of S. Myrtle, and the Monrovia Allensworth Recognition Committee working to raise awareness of his life.

- Brad Haugaard

Evacuated Monrovia Residents May Return Home; Evacuation Center Closed

Monrovia is lifting mandatory evacuations of residents living in the Madison Fire areas. Residents are now under advisory evacuations, but can go home. Only residents living on Highland Place, one of the most affected areas by mud and debris flow, will gain access to that street.

We are advising residents located in the Madison Fire area to be aware that the potential for erosion and debris flowing down the mountain towards residential areas still exists.

As of now, we are ramping down our EOC to a Level 1, with only fire staffing overnight. The last of the large cells have come through and we are seeing clear water coming off the hills with very little mud and debris.

The Monrovia Community Center is now closed as the evacuation center. Residents can still call in to (626) 932-5550 overnight and someone will answer.

Monrovia is reporting 4.5" of rain in the past two days. Tonight LA County will continue to work to clear as much off the streets as possible. We appreciate the patience of our residents living in the affected areas and their vigilance to the mudflow concerns throughout the weekend and over the next week.

Source: city press release

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Flood Update: Threat Downgraded; Isolated Problems Possible; Keep Staying Away

The City of Monrovia is currently under a flash flood watch, downgraded from a flash flood warning that was issued by the National Weather Service at 6:30 a.m. Saturday morning.

Mandatory evacuations are still in place for the residents in the Madison Fire area impacted by K-Rail. Los Angeles County Department of Public Works has downgraded the area to a Phase 1 for mud flow, meaning there may be small, isolated debris and mud flow at specific locations. Streets may be flooded or blocked, reports of debris on private property may be received and few, if any, structures may be endangered. We anticipate that evacuations will be lifted at 6 p.m. tonight.

Residents who have evacuated are encouraged to continue to stay away from the areas while the evacuation order is in place. Small pockets of heavy rain with isolated thunderstorms are still forecasted throughout the LA basin with 1-2" through this evening, as projected by the National Weather Service.

"We appreciate our residents' patience during this time," says Fire Chief Chris Donovan. "We are still predicting some mud and debris flows from storms predicted by the National Weather Service this afternoon. Once those pass, we will re-evaluate the evacuation orders."

The majority of the mud and debris flow for has been occurring on Highland Place and along Crescent Drive in Monrovia. The Highland Place debris wall at the top of the street, which was finished at the end of January 2014, has held back 2,000 cubic yards of mud and debris so far (about 3 ft), but is capable of holding back 15,000 cubic yards. The city installed over 5,000 feet of K-Rail in November 2013 in preparation for mudflow, and that in conjunction with the 400 sand and gravel bags that the Fire Department and residents have put in place have helped to keep property damage to a minimum.

Source: city press release

- Brad Haugaard

Photos of Mud Flow on Monrovia's Highland Place

Some photos of muddy Highland Place posted on Facebook by Monrovia Mayor Mary Ann Lutz: http://goo.gl/a3BzNp

- Brad Haugaard

Tutoring for English Language Tutors

Monrovia Library would like adult tutors for those learning English. If you are interested, a training session is coming up: http://goo.gl/puCUU9

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Flood Danger Not Over Yet

City of Monrovia tweets this morning: Flash flood warning in effect for Monrovia. Radar shows heavy rain on the way.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Flash Flood Threat Downgraded Slightly

The National Weather Service has officially put Monrovia on a flash flood watch, downgraded from a flash flood warning.  Mandatory evacuations are still in place within the Madison Fire neighborhoods:

Highland Place north of Hillcrest Blvd
Scenic Drive, btw Highland and Heather Heights
Lotone
Heather Heights north of Scenic Drive
Avocado Place
Hillcrest Blvd, 600 Block
Crescent Drive, 700, 800, 900 Block

Power is still out for 967 residents north of Hillcrest Blvd.  Southern California Edison is estimating that the power will be restored by 8p.m. tonight.

Heavy rain and thunderstorms are still expected Saturday mid-morning.

The Monrovia Emergency Operations Center will remain in place overnight, and residents can call (626) 932-5550 to report any emergencies or request assistance.

Pets can be evacuated overnight at a mobile pet evacuation center at the Monrovia Community Center, 119 W Palm Avenue, which will also be open overnight for evacuees.  Dogs can also be taken to Wonder Dog Ranch, 220 Taylor Street, Monrovia, CA.

For residents who do evacuate, discount rates at the Doubletree and Courtyard Hotels’ for Monrovia residents and their small pets will be issued.  Doubletree has offered $99 room rates to evacuees and will waive the pet fee for pets under 35lbs.  To reserve call: (626)357-1900. Courtyard by Marriott has offered $109 room rates, which includes breakfast, to evacuees (pets allowed on extenuating, case by case basis).  To reserve call: (626)357-5211.

Source: Monrovia press release

- Brad Haugaard

Most Monrovians Ignore Evacuation Order

Monrovia Fire Chief Chris Donovan reports that most residents in the mandatory evacuation area have decided not to leave their homes. He said the city cannot force them to leave but strongly advises it.

 

However, those who decline to leave their homes are being asked to sign a waiver, and their addresses are being noted on a map in case rescue operations are necessary, Donovan said.

Monrovia Public Information Officer Alexis Bakofsky said there are still storm cells on the way, until about 5:30 PM,. The intensity should die down over the night, she said, but the rain may pick up again tomorrow, Saturday, at about the same intensity.

 

-Brad Haugaard

Lunch at JB Burgers

Lunch yesterday at JB Burgers at Myrtle and Olive. Got a bacon cheeseburger with fries and a Coke. A bit over $6 total.

- Brad Haugaard

Emergency Declared in Monrovia

Water and mud flow through Highland debris basin (City photo).

Monrovia' Emergency Operations Center in action. 

Monrovia has declared a state of emergency for the streets below the Madison fire burned area, according to Monrovia Fire Chief Chris Donovan. 

Donovan said the area below the burned-off hills is experiencing mud flow and a swimming pool at a Highland Place house is now half full of mud. 

Mayor Mary Ann Lutz said the police department is going through the area helping people evacuate, and Donovan added that firefighters are placing additional sandbags on Highland Place. Monrovia police are being joined by fellow officers from other departments, including Irwindale and Covina.

Donovan said heavy rains are expected to continue, on and off, until about 8 p.m. this evening.

Lutz commended the city staff, saying that their "great planning is proving fruitful."

UPDATE: Power is out in the 1200 block of Norumbega. Donovan said it will probably remain out until about 8 a.m. tomorrow.

UPDATE: if you heard a helicopter loitering over the foothills, it was probably a Channel 2 News helicopter, according to Alexis Bakofsky, city public information officer.

UPDATE: Pasadena Humane Society reports that evacuated Monrovia pets can be boarded at its shelter at 361 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena 91105 at no charge.

UPDATE: The Pasadena Humane Society is also setting up a mobile pet shelter at the Monrovia community center, on Palm, across from the library.

UPDATE: The city reports that the power went off briefly at the Monrovia Community Center, but is back on now.

UPDATE: The city has received a report that the power is out on Myrtle Avenue north of Hillcrest. UPDATE-UPDATE: City Public Information Officer Alexis Bakofsky reports that 967 customers above Hillcrest are affected. 

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Issues Mandatory Evacuation Order for Foothill Streets

The City of Monrovia is issuing mandatory evacuations for the following streets because the National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Warning for the foothill areas:

- Highland Place north of Hillcrest Blvd
- Scenic
- Lotone
- Heather Heights north of Scenic
- Avocado Place
- Hillcrest Blvd, 600 block
- Crescent Drive, 900 block

Residents are advised to gather important documents, pets, medicine and leave with all members of the household.  An evacuation center is in place at the Monrovia Community Center, 119 W Palm Avenue.

More: http://goo.gl/ojt4ak

- Brad Haugaard

History of Monrovia's Pottenger Sanatorium

A bit of history from the Library about Francis Marion Pottenger and the Pottenger Sanatorium, a tuberculosis treatment center once located in north Monrovia. http://goo.gl/R69QZy

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Canyon Park Closed | Wildcats Host Drum Meet

~ The City of Monrovia reports that Monrovia Canyon Park is through tomorrow, Saturday, March 1.

~ The Marching Wildcats are scheduled to host the Southern California Percussion Alliance tomorrow at the Monrovia High Event Center, 8 a.m.-11 a.m. Monrovia's Winter Drum Line will compete. http://goo.gl/nVBaaf

- Brad Haugaard

Cell Phone Tower for North Monrovia?

Discussion is "very preliminary" about the possibility of a cell phone tower near the Ridgeside reservoir (which I think is at the point where North Canyon Blvd. meets Oakglade Drive) in north Monrovia. The city says it has received several queries from residents about the possibility, but no commitments have been made, no applications received, and if it goes forward, it will require a public hearing. Details: http://goo.gl/AbjQW1

- Brad Haugaard