Voluntary evacuations lifted in Silverado Canyon burn area

SILVERADO CANYON, ORANGE COUNTY (KABC) -- Residents in the Silverado Canyon burn area in Orange County were under a voluntary evacuation due to rain brought on by the El Nino-related storm.

The Emergency Operation Center was activated at 8 a.m. to monitor weather conditions on Tuesday and lifted the voluntary evacuation around 5 p.m.

The voluntary evacuation affected 70 homes east of the 30300 block of Silverado Canyon Road. Homes along Silverado Canyon Road were backed up against very steep slopes stripped of vegetation because of the wildfire that burned nearly 1,000 acres in 2014.

Get weather on the go with the FREE ABC7 Mega Doppler app

By mid-afternoon, heavy rain loosened the earth, sending muddy debris flowing down and across Silverado Canyon Road.

That area was being closely monitored for possible flash flooding, but residents appeared to be staying put, saying they're used to the canyon weather.

"With El Nino, it's going to be an ongoing thing," said Dean Lemieux, a resident. "I just raised the elevation of my driveway and as you can see, it wasn't enough."

As authorities monitored conditions, some residents said they will leave if things get worse.

"We're worried about mud and debris flow on Silverado Canyon Road. We've already had two times in the past year, once in July and once in September, where there was mud and debris flow that went across Silverado Canyon Road and made that road impassible," said Capt. Steve Concialdi with the Orange County Fire Authority.

The Red Cross set up an evacuation center at the Silverado Community Center, 27641 Silverado Canyon Rd., Silverado, CA 92676.

MEGADOPPLER App: abc7.la/MegaDoppler

Live radar: abc7.la/LiveMEGADOPPLER

Watches/Warnings: abc7.la/WxWarnings

Share your weather pictures and video with #ABC7Eyewitness