Silverado burn area sees voluntary evacuations; flooding possible at beaches
SILVERADO, Calif. (KABC) -- The Silverado Canyon burn area in Orange County was under a voluntary evacuation order to prepare for possible mud and debris flows Tuesday, and a Coastal Flood Advisory was in effect for the beaches.
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A voluntary evacuation for the burn area was ordered at 8 a.m. Tuesday and affects all homes east of 30311 Silverado Canyon Rd., where the Silverado Fire scorched approximately 1,000 acres in September. There's not enough vegetation on the steep hillsides to hold back water.
Frida Nicholls, who just moved into her home a week ago, got a helping hand from a neighbor, putting sandbags on the edge of her driveway to divert water away from the house.
"Our living room is on a lower level, and there is already some water coming into the carport so we just wanted to make sure," Nicholls said.
Sandbags for canyon residents are available at the Orange County Fire Authority's Station 14, 29402 Silverado Canyon Road, as well as at an Orange County Public Works' Maintenance Yard, 20811 El Toro Road in Lake Forest.
The Red Cross opened a shelter at El Modena High School at 3920 East Spring Street in the city of Orange.
Hay bales and K-rails are in place to prevent mud flows and property damage, and heavy equipment is on scene ready to move debris.
Nearly an inch of rain had fallen by about 7 p.m.
"Right now, we're in good shape. The rain has been gentle all day. We haven't had a lot of significant downpour so the hillsides remain intact and we haven't had any mud or debris flows at this point," said Batt. Chief Mike Petro of the Orange County Fire Authority.
Nevertheless, emergency crews are on standby and many residents say they're braced and ready.
"My wife has already evacuated with pets. So when mandatory comes in, I'm out of here," said area resident Ron Shepston.
Shepston lives at the base of a steep, narrow and sloping road. He and his neighbors have been scurrying to prepare for the worst.
"That's part of why we would issue that mandatory evacuation here in Silverado Canyon. There's essentially one way out, and that's Silverado Canyon Road out to Santiago Canyon," said Lt. Jeff Hallock with the Orange County Sheriff's Department.
Orange County residents near the beaches are keeping an eye out for potential coastal flooding. A Coastal Flood Advisory was in effect for the Orange County coast beginning at 5 p.m. Tuesday and set to expire on Thursday, Dec.4, at 10 a.m.
Coast Flood Advisory issued in Orange County
"The biggest issue is when it rains hard while the tide valves are closed, during high-tide periods," said Newport Beach Municipal Operations Director Mike Pisani.
"Last time, when it came, it really hit us hard, so we want to make sure that it's not going to happen again," said Newport Beach resident Belinda Cook as city workers filled Cook's car with sandbags on Tuesday.
Meantime, the slick coat of water on the roads made driving hazardous.
In La Palma, a 19-year-old man was killed after he crashed his car into a block wall. Authorities were trying to determine if rain was the cause.
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