Evacuations underway in Santa Cruz County over debris flow concerns and upcoming rainfall, gusty winds
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, Calif. (KION-TV) -- Thousands of people have been ordered to evacuate homes in Santa Cruz County that are in danger of being impacted by potential debris flow from heavy rain and gusty winds in parts of the county.
As it stands, Highway 9 from Brookdale to Boulder Creek Elementary has is under this evacuation order.
Also included is Highway 236 from Acorn Drive to Hazel Avenue. The Swanton area has also been asked to evacuate as well as parts of Davenport.
Officials in a conference call say this could impact as many as 5,000 people who may now have to head to evacuation centers spread across the county.
Those temporary centers are located at San Lorenzo Valley High School in Felton, the Scotts Valley Community Center and Pacific Elementary School in Davenport.
Officials say these are not congregate living facilities but places where evacuated residents can go for charging stations and other necessities. Those who need a place to stay can also sleep in their car at these locations.
The American Red Cross will also provide information if shelter is needed.
An estimated 2,800 homes are under evacuation orders, according to the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office. The agency says they’re
giving people advanced notice so they can get to a safe place before the
wind picks up and heavy rain comes in.
The potential for debris flow comes as a big concern for neighbors in evacuation zones.
“There’s going to be debris. I live right next to the creek, like literally,
it’s right in my back yard,” said Sarah Tucker who had to evacuate from her home Monday.
Many evacuees KION spoke with say it’s been tough to leave their homes
again. After already having to evacuate just months ago when the fires burned close by.
“The fires first off were really scary cause it came to about a quarter mile
from my house,” evacuee Don Sage said. ”I thought I was going to lose my house and my job.”
Many evacuees also faced power outages last week when winds brought down power lines in the Santa Cruz mountains. Tucker tells us her power was restored just a few days ago.
For some, these evacuations are also causing frustration. Locals came to the
San Lorenzo Valley High School evacuation site looking for hotel vouchers,
but were told Monday afternoon they had to wait until the Red Cross arrived.
“Sheriff came and knocked on my door and told me I have to get out–told me to come here, I come here and they don’t have any information,” Heidi White from Brookdale said. "Having to be evacuated in September from the other fire and now being evacuated again, you would think that the hill would have it together.”
The local Red Cross chapter tells KION, if people need help finding a safe place to stay, they must first go to an evacuation site to get verified by the county. The county will then refer anyone who needs assistance finding shelter to the Red Cross.
The storm is also expected to bring strong winds which could bring down
trees and take out power lines so locals who are staying put are preparing
for potential power outages. KION found residents filling gas cans and readying extra food.
“It’s a sizable storm. It’s something to be concerned about but we’re used
to living in the mountains,” Boulder Creek's Andrew said.
Some locals have chosen to stay, despite the warnings, but the Sheriff’s
Office is stressing the need to leave before conditions get worse.
“Even our ability to help could be extremely hampered if you decide to stay
and found yourself in a difficult position,” Deputy Chief Chris Clark said.
It’s unclear exactly when residents can return home. The Sheriff’s
Office said they might be able to this weekend but that all depends on how
severe the storm is.
TEMPORARY EVACUATION SITES:
- San Lorenzo Valley High School 7105 Hwy 9, Felton, CA 95018
- Scotts Valley Community Center 360 Kings Village Road, Scotts Valley, CA 95066
- Pacific Elementary School 50 Ocean Street, Davenport, CA 95017
Santa Cruz County said these evacuation points will provide space for extended car parking, and the Red Cross will be available for assistance. There will also be bathrooms, charging stations and refreshments and pet food at each location. Please note these are not overnight shelter locations.
The county set up a call center at (831) 454-2181.
Click here to see an interactive Evacuation Zone map: https://community.zonehaven.com/?latlon=37.1651088747449,-122.15397340135871&z=11.164604618485402&selected=CRZ-E013
