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