Steve Price and Caltrans has formally requested CHP begin enforcing the ban on pedestrian access across the Rocky Creek slide area. Caltrans will reevaluate conditions and access options daily, but for now, pedestrian prohibition remains in effect and will be enforced by CHP.
In an effort to offer more information to locals and travelers a Highway 1 Conditions and Information page can be hound on the Big Sur website
http://www.bigsurcalifornia.org/highway_conditions.html
The following is an official message to the residents of Big Sur from Chief Karstens regarding the Highway 1 Closure and Public Safety Services.
Dear Big Sur residents,
For some of us here we are again, for others this may be your first extended road closure.
The Fire Brigade met with Cal Trans, some business representatives, the Chamber of Commerce, CPOA, CERT, St. Parks, and the USFS yesterday. Before going into the meeting I had spoken with Sheriff, AMR and CHP representatives. Most of you have seen the email from the Chamber by now regarding the highway. I wanted to address other possible questions, in particular public safety, that you may have.
* First I would like to address medical emergencies, including vehicle accidents. AMR, (American Medical Response) will still respond 24/7, the ambulance is stationed at our firehouse for all emergencies requiring an ambulance. CALL 911 as usual!! Depending on where the emergency is located we have plans in place for transportation, it may be that the patient will need to be transported to Cambria or King City depending on the circumstances. AMR has made sure we will have a crew staffing the ambulance, and has been in touch with Cal Star helicopter and Cambria ambulance making them aware of our situation.
* Public Safety. USFS has some crew members and engines available in the remote chance we have a vegetation fire, but more importantly they will help us with a structure fire if needed.
SO is making plans to have a deputy come down and stay here until we get one lane open. They immediately started sending over units to cover from King City the day the road went out. Today they brought down one of the rescue trucks which is being staged at the firehouse if needed.
CHP is also planning on having an officer stay in the area for the duration.
State Parks has rangers here who are peace officers in the off chance something happens while we are between shift changes with CHP and SO.
CERT members are available if needed, they will also be sending out an email to possibly try and schedule town trip needs.
and as always your friendly Fire Brigade members will be responding if needed!
* Utility Needs. I have spoken with PG&E and they will be sending down a truck and crew starting Saturday night and through Sunday when the worst of the storm is expected. After that they will evaluate conditions to determine if they will continue to stay on longer.
At our meeting yesterday we also discussed things like fuel, garbage, propane etc. As the road is open and passable to the south, my understanding is it will be business as usual.
*An email has been sent out regarding any medical needs and medications from the Health Center.
*The schools have plans for Captain Cooper and the High school students.
*The Post Office hours will be 10:00 to 2:00 PM, with mail delivery as usual. (Not confirmed but I was told that Fed Ex would deliver but not UPS.)
We will have another meeting with Cal Trans when they have more information and after that we may schedule a community meeting. We will do our best to get information out via emails.
Thank you to all the agencies for so quickly stepping up to the plate to help us out. It is very much appreciated.
And last but not least thank you to Cal Trans for all your work, everyone please be careful out there driving, look out for Cal Trans units working in the road way!
Please feel free to call the Fire Brigade with any questions I may not have covered here, 667-2113. Meanwhile, enjoy the quiet time and be safe!
Thank you,
Martha
Martha Karstens
Chief
The damage to nuclear reactors in Japan has understandably lead to concerns about the safety of individuals throughout the world, including here in Monterey County.
There is no increased risk of harmful levels of radiation exposure in the United States based on the situation to date at the nuclear power complex in Japan. There is no reason for individuals to take potassium iodide out of concern of possible exposure from this situation. Taking potassium iodide now is something, which is ineffective, and could also cause side effects. If a need should arise for residents to start taking potassium iodide to guard against effects of radiation exposure, the Monterey County Health Department – along with other local, state and federal agencies – will inform the public. We do not anticipate this need.
Potassium iodide, or KI, is a stable form of iodine. During a nuclear emergency, persons may be exposed to a radioactive form of iodine, which can be harmful to the thyroid gland. In such an event, public health officials may recommend use of KI to offer some protection. KI is not recommended for use as a precautionary medication, unless there is a specific emergency that warrants use as recommended by public health officials.
Although usually benign, it can be harmful to people with allergies to iodine or shellfish, those with certain skin disorders, or those with thyroid problems. Observed but infrequent side effects of ingesting potassium iodide include nausea, intestinal upset, rashes, inflammation of the salivary glands, and possibly severe allergic reactions. KI cannot protect the body from radioactive elements other than radioactive iodine—if radioactive iodine is not present, taking KI is not protective.
The California Department of Public Healthhas opened a hotline in English and Spanish at (916) 341-3947 for anyone who has concerns. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta also has a line available to anyone with questions at (800) CDC-INFO.
The following is an official message from the Monterey County Department of Health, California Department of Public Health, and Cal EMA.
According to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), Japan’s nuclear emergency presents no danger to California. CDPH is monitoring the situation closely in conjunction with our state and federal partners, including NRC, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Energy, FEMA Region IX, and the California Emergency Management Agency (CalEMA).
California has a plan of response for radiological emergencies if one were to arise. Plans include the Nuclear Radiological Emergency Program and the National Response Framework.
Q&A
Q. What’s the risk for California from the current nuclear power emergency in Japan?
A. At present, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) says Japan’s nuclear emergency presents no danger to California.
Q. What are you doing to assess the risk?
A. CDPH is monitoring the situation closely in conjunction with our State and federal partners.
Q. What resources does California have to tell if radiation is present in the environment?
A. CDPH has a radiological branch and routinely tests air, water and the food supply.
Q. Does California have a plan in place to respond to a radiological emergency?
A. CDPH has a plan for response to radiological emergencies, called the Nuclear Emergency Response Plan.
Q. Does California stockpile supplies for such an emergency?
A. California does stockpile emergency supplies, including potassium iodide (KI) tablets, in the area around the San Onofre nuclear power plant. Potassium iodide tablets are useful in blocking some types of radiation in the thyroid. Potassium iodide tablets are not recommended at this time, and can present a danger to people with allergies to iodine, shellfish or who have thyroid problems. Potassium iodide tablets should not be taken until/unless directed by authorities.
Q. Should I be taking potassium iodide (KI) to protect myself?
A. No. Potassium iodide tablets are not recommended at this time, and can present a danger to people with allergies to iodine, shellfish or who have thyroid problems. Potassium iodide tablets should not be taken until/unless directed by authorities.
For more information visit the CDPH website or the CalEma website.
There are several resources available to aid in contacting or located family and friends in Japan.
Inquiries concerning U.S. citizens living or traveling in Japan should be referred to the U.S. Department of State, Office of Overseas Citizens Services at 1-888-407-4747 or 202-647-5225. http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/emergencies/emergencies_1212.html
The Google Person Finder site is available at: http://japan.person-finder.appspot.com/?lang=en
If you have the mobile phone number of your family member in the affected areas, you may utilize the following services to check whether he/she has registered his/her message(s) on this service. Services are available in English and Japanese.
DoCoMo: http://dengon.docomo.ne.jp/Einoticelist.cgi?es=0
SoftBanK: http://dengon.softbank.ne.jp/pc-e1.jsp
Please note that when you enter the mobile phone number for search on the webpage, you should remove the country code 0081 and add 0 at the beginning. For example, if you dial the number internationally as follows, 0081-90-8877-6655, enter it into the website as: 090-887-6655
Increase Traffic on Hwy 68
Caltrans and the Transportation Agency for Monterey County are advising drivers to expect and plan for increased traffic on Highway 68 beginning August 3 and lasting for the next several days due to the Spirit West Coast festival taking place at Laguna Seca Recreation Park August 4 – 6. The festival is expected to draw more than 20,000 fans over the three days, with many festival campers and vendors beginning to arrive on August 3. While vendors enter on Hwy 68, festival attendees are directed to use the South Boundary Road entrance to Laguna Seca Recreation Area.
According to Lavonne Chin, Monterey County Parks Department’s Special Events Manager, the busiest times will be August 3 and 4, when many of the campers come in. The peak times for day attendees (non-campers) last year were:
Thursday: 8 a.m. – 11 a.m., and 4 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Friday: 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., and 11 p.m. – midnight.
Saturday: 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m., 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., and 7:30 p.m. – midnight.
Sunday: 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Drivers are advised to expect delays, be alert and exercise caution through the area, and plan alternate routes, if possible.
Caltrans, which has several projects along Hwy 68, will not have crews working on Hwy 68 until the night of August 7.
Monterey County also has a project under construction at Hwy 68 and San Benancio. That work is done during the day, behind k-rail barriers, and does not involve any lane closures.