201911.26
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Safety measures in place as major winter storm arrives in Southern California

by in News

Officials with the California Department of Transportation spent Tuesday preparing the Cajon Pass for the upcoming winter storm by deicing the roadways. It was one of several measures around the region undertaken to prepare for the rain, snow and cold, authorities said.

Tanker trucks, filled with 4,000 gallons of water mixed with the deicing solution, traveled along the middle lanes of the 15 Freeway, Highway 2 and Highway 138, spraying the solution to make sure all lanes were covered, spokeswoman Terri Kasinga said.

The solution helps to keep the road temperature higher and it helps to break up the ice and snow that accumulates on the roadway, she said.

“When cars drive over, it helps break up the ice even more,” she said.

Officials were hoping to avoid having to close down the Cajon Pass, instead relying on escorts and traffic breaks during the heaviest parts of the storm, Kasinga said.

Officials planned to close a 13-mile stretch of Highway 2 between Grassy Hollow to Islip Saddle late Tuesday night, Nov. 26, until further notice, Kasinga said. Motorists were advised to use the 15 Freeway or the 14 Freeway and connect with Highway 138 from the Los Angeles area.

 

The California Highway Patrol also warned that the 5 Freeway in the Grapevine area northwest of Los Angeles could be closed by heavy snow.

Potential detours were posted on the CHP Fort Tejon Facebook page. For updates check @CHPFortTejon on Twitter and @chpforttejon on Instagram.https://www.facebook.com/105100153168416/photos/pcb.1012976789047410/1012974615714294/?type=3&theater

 

This week’s storm, which officials said could bring heavy rain Wednesday and Thursday, was anticipated to bring one to two inches of rain through much of Southern California, as well as snow as low as elevations of 3,500 to 4,000 feet, according to the National Weather Service.

The weather could affect upwards of an estimated 4.3 million local residents planning to travel more than 50 miles to celebrate Thanksgiving with family, according to the Auto Club of Southern California.

Caltrans was also warning motorists traveling to higher elevations to have tire chains accessible.

In Riverside County, officials had cameras set up in four areas affected by wildfires in the last two years, said Jason Uhley, general manager of the Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District.

Emergency response agencies will have access to those camera feeds in order to provide immediate response to debris flows, mudslides and other weather-related emergencies, Uhley said.

Cameras were set up near the Holy fire, Cranston fire, Reche fire and Tenaja fire burn areas, he said.

The District also enhanced debris basins to collect potential debris flows in those burn scar areas, Uhley said.

“The cameras were set up in those areas deemed the largest threats,” Uhley said, adding the District has resources in place in case of mudslides or debris flows.

“Some of those areas are in their second year of healing, but we still expect when we have rain there’s going to be more runoff than normal,” he added.

Riverside County officials Tuesday also performed helicopter patrols in riverbed areas to warn those who are homeless about the upcoming storm in an effort to get them to safety, said Shane Reichardt, spokesman for the Riverside County Emergency Management Department.

Other fire departments, including in Los Angeles and Orange counties, were remaining in contact with the National Weather Service for updates on weather conditions.

“Residents need to remain alert,” said Ken Kondo, spokesman for Los Angeles County Emergency Operations. “They need to be prepared and they also need to be sure to monitor the current weather conditions because they can constantly change.”

Residents in Los Angeles County can do so by visiting ready.lacounty.gov, he said.

Also Tuesday, the storm prompted Los Angeles city and county officials to begin opening emergency 24-hour winter shelters ahead of schedule.

Both Winter Shelter Programs, which offer protection for homeless people during inclement weather, had been scheduled to open begin Sunday.

“Temperatures are getting significantly colder and it is going to get significantly wetter,” said Councilman Mike Bonin, who introduced an emergency motion Tuesday to move up the city shelters’ opening date.

In Orange County, the Armory Emergency Shelter Program in Santa Ana and Fullerton will operate on a 24-hour basis through Friday morning to provide shelter for the homeless during the storm, the OC Health Care Agency announced.

The armories are scheduled to resume regular operations Friday evening with operating hours from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.

City News Service contributed to this story.