By Mary O’KEEFE

Mandatory evacuation orders are still in affect as storm systems work their way across Southern California.

“We had one incident where a pick-up truck got stuck in deep mud,” said Stephanie English, spokeswoman for Los Angeles County Fire Department. “The incident was in the Vista Del Val Road area. Our L.A. County fire responded and got the driver to safety.”

Other than that rescue the area has been fairly quiet. There have been reports of debris flow in La Crescenta and La Cañada however, English added.

“There is more rain [on the way] so we are urging residents who did not comply with the mandatory evacuations earlier to do so now,” she said.

“The main band of rain has gone through,” said Jamie Meier, meteorologist with the National Weather Service. “But we are expecting continuing showers and thunderstorm activity through the day.”

That is why the mandatory evacuation orders are staying in place, English said.

The Sheriff’s Department has set protocols to help define the levels of threat during the flood/mudflow. The protocols are hoped to resolve any confusion with terms and conditions of evacuation.

“We do not issue voluntary evacuation. We issue mandatory evacuations,” said Capt. Dave Silverparre.

The protocols are used by the unified command and can be seen on the Department of Public Works of L.A. County website at http://dpw.lacounty.gov Click on the C.A.R.E. (Coordinated Agency Recovery Effort).

Below are the revised protocols for exit and re-entry into evacuated areas:

PROTOCOLS FOR EXIT AND RE-ENTRY INTO EVACUATED AREAS

In the event evacuations are ordered in your area, Sheriff’s Deputies will be following the exit and re-entry protocols as indicated below.

GREEN LEVEL

• No evacuation orders in effect.

• Unrestricted entry to the impacted areas.

• Residents advised to monitor weather and to be alert to the possibility of changes in evacuation orders.

• “No Parking During Rain Events” restrictions enforced. Residents are to remove vehicles, trash bins, and other obstruction from posted streets. Vehicles may be subject to tow.

YELLOW LEVEL

• Mandatory evacuations have been issued and residents in the indicated areas are ordered to leave.

• Residents refusing to evacuate will be asked to sign an Evacuation Refusal Form.

• Re-entry will be permitted at the discretion of the Sheriff’s Department.

• Residents seeking re-entry into the evacuated areas will be required to sign a liability waiver.

• Re-entry shall be restricted to occupants and owners.

• “No Parking During Rain Events” restrictions enforced. Residents are to remove vehicles, trash bins, and other obstructions from posted streets. Vehicles may be subject to tow.

RED LEVEL

• Mandatory evacuations have been issued and residents in the indicated areas are ordered to leave.

• Residents refusing to evacuate will be asked to sign an Evacuation Refusal Form.

• Residents leaving the evacuated areas will not be allowed re-entry until evacuation orders have been lifted.

• “No Parking During Rain Events” restrictions enforced. Residents are to remove vehicles, trash bins, and other obstructions from the public streets. Vehicles may be subject to tow.