Date: April 12, 2006
Release: Immediately
Contact: Dinah Phillips
Public
Information Officer
Susan
Mauriello, County Administrative Officer and Director of Emergency Services for
Santa Cruz County today declared a local emergency due to winter storms,
flooding, and high winds which have pummeled the County since March 29th.
The Department of Public Works estimates approximately $6 million in road
damage and debris clearance costs, and the Planning Department estimates more
than $3 million in damage to private property.
Streams
and Rivers
As a
precautionary measure, residents of Felton Grove were notified last night that
the San Lorenzo River was approaching flood stage. The river, which reaches flood stage at 18 feet, peaked last night at 16 feet, and is
currently at 10 feet. At this time, no Santa Cruz County rivers or streams are
approaching flood stage.
Roads
Currently,
five roads in the unincorporated area of Santa Cruz County are closed, and
thirteen roads have limited access due to weather related slides and slipouts.
A list of road closures can be viewed at http://www.sccroadclosure.org/.
Two Bar
Road, off Highway 9 in the Santa Cruz Mountains, is closed with a slide
estimated to be three acres in size. The slide also contains enormous boulders,
which makes removal more difficult. Ten homes are isolated on the other side of
the slide. No injuries or damage to the homes have been reported. The County is
contracting with Granite Construction to open the road. Granite Construction
will begin working tonight. Depending on weather, it is hoped that the road
will be open by tomorrow evening.
Slide Damage
In addition to damage to roads throughout the County, seven
homes have been posted unsafe to occupy for geologic reasons. The estimated
cost of damage to those homes totals
$3.3 million. County geo-technical
staff are conducting field inspections and assessments. Some of these slides
are continuing to move.
Landslides at the rear of two houses on Amesti Road,
adjacent to the site of a large slide in 1995, have caused part of the
foundations to separate from the structures.
Lompico Water District
A landslide has damaged the water
system for the Lompico Water District’s main lines. Fire agencies are supplying
water for fire suppression capacity by use of water tenders, and potable water
has been delivered for use by residents.