Evacuations ordered

By Mary O’KEEFE

Crescenta Valley Sheriff’s Station has issued evacuation notices via the reverse 911-phone system for homes in La Cañada and La Crescenta. The decision to evacuate was made at the executive level by the incident unified command, said Sgt. John Caffrey.

The evacuation orders, according to the Los Angeles Public Works website, will be in affect beginning at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 9.

“We will begin door to door evacuations at 8 a.m. and would like everyone to be out by then,” Caffrey said.

Another notice was issued concerning parking along the streets of the evacuated neighborhoods. Residents were asked to keep all vehicles and trashcans off the streets to allow debris to flow.

The American Red Cross shelter for evacuated residents will be at Holy Redeemer Church in Montrose.

The National Weather Service has adjusted its previous weather predictions. “It is more rain than earlier [predicted].  We are now looking at two inches of rain [in the foothills],” said National Weather Service specialist Stuart Seto.

A flash flood watch has been issued for the burn areas through Tuesday night.  The rainfall rate is expected to be a half an inch to an inch per hour.  The area may experience strong thunderstorms that could bring a heavier downpour with possible high winds and hail.

“The storm has built up a bit of power,” Seto added. “The heaviest rain will be from Tuesday afternoon through Tuesday night.”

The weather service has also issued a winter storm warning to begin on Tuesday at noon through 3 p.m. on Wednesday. Snow levels are expected at the Grape Vine level, 4,000 feet and may drop six to 12 inches of snow.  Higher elevations may see up to 16 inches, he said.

Thursday is clear with Friday continuing to have a slight chance of rain.  Seto said the weekend is expected to be sunny and warmer.

For information on evacuated residences visit the public work’s website at  http://dpw.lacounty.gov and click on latest update C.A.R.E.

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