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

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