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.

THE CHP LOCATED A STOLEN TOW TRUCK IN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY TODAY. IT WAS FOUND WHEN COUNTY MAINTENANCE CREWS RESPONDED TO A TREE DOWN AT CALABASAS ROAD JUST SOUTH OF WHITE ROAD. THE TRUCK WAS FOUND TO BE STOLEN FROM "ALL PRO TOW" IN GILROY EARLIER IN THE MORNING. THE TRUCK WAS ABANDONED 30 FEET DOWN AN EMBANKMENT. SANTA CRUZ SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES ARRESTED 2 MEN EARLIER IN THE SAME AREA, AFTER RESIDENTS COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SUSPICIOUS PAIR PROWLING, AND GOING DOOR TO DOOR ASKING FOR HELP. 21-YEAR OLD RUBEN ILAGOR REYES FROM GILROY, AND A JUVENILE ARE IN CUSTODY. INVESTIGATORS GATHERED ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO HOLD THEM AS SUSPECTS IN THE THEFT OF THE TOW TRUCK.

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.

POWER LINES WERE KNOCKED DOWN IN A SANTA CRUZ COUNTY COLLISION TODAY. AT ABOUT 10 A.M. A 38-YEAR-OLD BOULDER CREEK MAN DRIFTED OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF BEAR CREEK ROAD. HE WAS THE ONLY PERSON INVOLVED IN THE ACCIDENT THAT DOWNED THE POWER POLE, CAUSING LIVE WIRES TO BLOCK BOTH SIDES OF THE ROADWAY, NEAR MONTE VISTA LANE. THAT AREA OF BEAR CREEK ROAD WAS CLOSED FOR 3 HOURS.