Santa Cruz County Officials Brace For Storm

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA — A storm expected to be the largest seen in a year is battering Santa Cruz County.

As officials prepared Tuesday, gray skies hung overhead and heavy swell battered the shoreline. Strong winds are expected to topple trees, tree limbs and power lines and cause scattered outages, and the Pacific Gas & Electric Co. had set up an emergency camp at the Graham Hill Showgrounds in the San Lorenzo Valley.

Flash flooding is likely in select areas of the San Lorenzo Valley and north coast, and rains are expected to exceed the threshold for debris flow — a key concern in the aftermath of a wildfire that can cause more injuries than the fire itself. Debris flow occurs when water flows downhill through burned areas, carrying with it burned trees, rocks, silt and other debris.

"Driving is hazardous," Cal Fire said around 7:10 p.m. of conditions on Empire Grade Road, a key thoroughfare in the San Lorenzo Valley. "Please stay home, and out of evacuated areas."

Current conditions on Empire Grade Road in Santa Cruz County. Driving is hazardous. Please stay home, and out of evacuated areas. #CaWx pic.twitter.com/8bVzwb5Tpn
— CAL FIRE CZU (@CALFIRECZU) January 27, 2021

Even as the storm approached, officials continued to urge residents of evacuation zones to immediately leave. At least 260 indicated they intended to stay behind, said Chief Deputy Chris Clark of the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office at a news conference late Tuesday. That number could be even higher if people decide to hunker down at the last minute.

Here's a look at the forecast wind gusts through the peak of the atmospheric river plume . Note that the timing of the most intense wind gusts coincides with the timing of the strongest rain bands. #CaWx https://t.co/C828KduCar pic.twitter.com/Xdu1KOwDBb
— NWS Bay Area (@NWSBayArea) January 27, 2021

More than 5,000 people in 2,800 buildings in Santa Cruz County's San Lorenzo Valley and north coast were ordered to evacuate Monday. Additional evacuations were ordered Tuesday in San Mateo County and evacuation warnings were issued to residents of the Last Chance Road area. More than 500 people had stopped by an evacuation center in Felton as of Tuesday afternoon. (Details on evacuation centers below.)

Though a 30-person rescue team arrived to respond in case of emergency, Clark said that despite the best efforts of law enforcement, officers may struggle to respond if roads are obstructed or otherwise closed.

"Now's definitely the time to leave," he said. "We want to keep people as safe as possible."

All roads were open as of late Thursday afternoon, but the public was encouraged to stay tuned here to check which county roads became obstructed during the storm.

Officials are particularly concerned about areas near the CZU August Lightning Complex fires burn scar. The recent CZU August Lightning Complex fires were among the most destructive in state history, scorching some 86,000 acres and destroying nearly 1,500 buildings in Santa Cruz and San Mateo counties.

A flash flood watch is in place until Thursday afternoon, covering the Santa Cruz Mountains region. Eight to 12 inches of rain is possible in the Santa Cruz Mountains, officials said, citing the National Weather Service forecast. The Pajaro River has been breached to prevent flooding and information about sandbags can be found here.

Santa Cruz County is also slated to be covered by a high wind watch from 7 p.m. Tuesday to 7 a.m. Thursday. Gusts up to 60 mph are possible, and winds are expected to peak overnight Tuesday.

There is heavy swell with thick clouds coming on shore. Please use this time to prepare for inclement weather. #CaWx pic.twitter.com/ThWyhkd3Xy
— CAL FIRE CZU (@CALFIRECZU) January 26, 2021

This is the third time that evacuations have been ordered in the San Lorenzo Valley region in recent months. The CZU August Lightning Complex fires prompted evacuations after they were sparked by lightning in August.

Last week, evacuees fled their homes again as wildfires tore through Santa Cruz County. Eighteen wildfires were reported in an 18-hour time span across the region, according to the Cal Fire San Mateo-Santa Cruz Unit. Near hurricane-force winds were recorded in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Evacuees should not leave pets or livestock behind. (See animal shelter information below)

Stay informed

Officials urge residents to stay tuned to the following informational channels as they seek to communicate emergency updates with residents:

• Zonehaven evacuation map: To see whether your home is in an area covered by an evacuation order or evacuation warning
• Road closure map: To see all reported road hazards in Santa Cruz County
• CodeRED emergency updates: A reverse 911 service for Santa Cruz County residents
• Animal shelter for evacuees: 831-454-7226 (call 831-708-8998 for large animals)
• Questions? Call the county's informational line at 831-454-2181.

Evacuations and resource centers

Refreshments, bathrooms, charging stations, information and Red Cross personnel will be available at three evacuation centers set to open Monday. Shelter will not be offered.

• Felton: San Lorenzo Valley High School (7105 Highway 9)
• Scotts Valley: Scotts Valley Community Center (360 Kings Village Road)
• Davenport: Pacific Elementary School (50 Ocean St.)