Portion of Highway 1 slides out during storm
A photo showing Highway 1 storm damage shared by the CHP 
MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (KION)
UPDATE 1/29/2021 6:00 p.m. Caltrans officials say that much of the highway one erosion was caused by the heavy rain and debris flow.
"This location happened to be within the burn scar and this is what happened. The debris and water then came at a higher rate than the culvert could hold and the debris and water went across the roadway and spilled onto the oceanside of things. And when that happens the continuous flow of water cuts back to the highway," says Caltrans official, David Drabinski.
With the Dolan Fire burn scar burning much of the vegetation off the mountain, there wasn't much to sustain the water leading the highway to slip out. But residents like Kirk Goodall, say that erosion comes with the territory.
"This is going to go on and they're going to keep on rebuilding the roads because we love this area and the people who come down here just need to realize that there are certain stretches that can be a little dangerous especially in bad weather," says Goodall.
Caltrans says that they spent millions and many months of work to help fortify the infrastructure of the highway and hope they can reopen the scenic route soon.
UPDATE 1/29/2021 New photos show the extent of the damage on Highway 1 caused by this weeks's storms.
A portion of the road slid out near Rat Creek, and photos show that the entire span of the roadway was affected.
Caltrans is expected to have a team in the area Friday to assess the damage, but it is not known when the roadway will reopen.
The CHP says slides have been reported in both Monterey and San Luis Obispo counties along Highway 1.
The Big Sur Chamber of Commerce says that even though this section of road is closed, Big Sur itself is still open and accessible from the north via Highway 1. It said most businesses are north of the slide.
See more pictures from the Big Sur coast below.
UPDATE 1/28/2021 5:30 p.m. Big Sur Fire confirms that a portion of Highway 1 "slid out" near Rat Creek. The agency said it does not know how long the road will be closed.
Caltrans said it will have a team in the area Friday to assess the damage.
Highway 1 is closed between MM 40 and the San Luis Obispo County line because of concerns about debris flow, flooding and slides.
PREVIOUS STORY: A portion of Highway 1 in an area near Rat Creek has been damaged by storms, according to the California Highway Patrol.
No additional details were immediately available, but a photo from the area shows what appears to be a section of the road that has collapsed while other parts are covered with water and debris.
Highway 1 is closed between MPM 40 and the San Luis Obispo County line because of concerns about debris flow, flooding and slides.
