KSCO NEWS SPOKE WITH THE MONTEREY COUNTY OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES THIS AFTERNOON, ABOUT MUD SLIDE CONDITIONS. DIRECTOR HARRY ROBBINS SAID NORMAL PHONE SERVICE (INCLUDING 9-1-1) WAS KNOCKED OUT BY A MUD SLIDE TO ABOUT 100 PEOPLE. THE PEOPLE LIVING EAST OF THE HOLLY HILLS ROAD AREA IN NORTHERN MONTEREY COUNTY WERE AFFFECTED. RESTORATION IS EXPECTED IN ABOUT 10 HOURS.
ROBBINS SAID THE RIVER LEVELS ARE BEING CLOSELY WATCHED, AND ALTHOUGH WATER LEVELS ARE UP, THEY SEE NO FLOODING DANGERS AT THIS TIME.
MUDSLIDE HISTORY AND RISK vs
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY HAS A HISTORY OF MUDSLIDES, AND HOME OWNERS ON UNSTABLE GROUND, ARE BEING ASKED TO BE ALERT. ALTHOUGH PLASTIC TARP CAN HELP IN SOME CASES, AUTHORITIES SAY THERE ISN'T MUCH THAT CAN BE DONE IF THE EARTH STARTS TO MOVE. THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES SAYS THERE IS REALLY NO GOOD WAY TO PREDICT A MUD SLIDE. PROPERTY OWNERS SHOULD LOOK FOR SIGNS THAT THE GROUND MAY BE MOVING BY LISTENING CAREFULLY FOR UNUSUAL NOISES, MAKE SURE RETAINING WALLS DON'T BULGE OR LEAK WATER, AND LOOK FOR DOORS AND CABINETS THAT SUDDENLY ARE NOT CLOSING, ALL OF WHICH COULD BE SIGNS OF A POSSIBLE SLIDE. IN JANUARY OF 1982, A MUD SLIDE IN BEN LOMOND'S LOVE CREEK AREA, KILLED 10 PEOPLE AND BURIED 7 HOMES.
