Nov 30, 2007 9:26 pm US/Pacific
Mandatory Evacuation Order Lifted In Orange County
SANTA ANA, Calif. (CBS) ―
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Homeowners are evacuating Silverado and Modjeska canyon neighborhoods for the second time in as many months, this time because of threatened mudslides.
CBS
Mandatory evacuations ordered for Modjeska Canyon and Williams Canyon were lifted Friday night, while voluntary evacuation was still in effect for Silverado Canyon residents because of the possibility of flooding.
The National Weather Service declared a flash flood watch in effect until 4 p.m. Saturday, with moderate rain continuing to move through the area that could trigger possible mudslides, debris flows or rock slides, even during periods with little or no rain falling.
Those ordered out of their homes were directed to a Red Cross emergency shelter at El Modena High School, 3920 E. Spring St., in Orange, according to Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Kris Concepcion.
The mandatory evacuation order for Williams Canyon ended at 6 p.m. and the one for Modjeska Canyon was ended at 8:30 p.m. Both remained under voluntary evacuation orders and Modjeska Canyon was only open to residents.
Residents returning to their homes were warned to drive carefully because of fog, darkness and muddy conditions of the roads.
Flows containing stumps, rocks and tree branches were sighted in the area by mid-afternoon.
Meanwhile, authorities announced that the Silverado Branch Library, 28192 Silverado Canyon Road, will be closed Saturday.
Rain was predicted to continue through 4 a.m. Saturday.
Concepcion said earlier that authorities crisscrossed the canyon, laying sandbags alongside the water-logged bales of hay.
A public information hotline phone number was established, (714) 628-7085. Personnel were on standby to mobilize the Emergency Operations Center if needed.
A report issued earlier this month noted that large debris flows could be triggered by light to moderate rainfall in severely burned areas.
The first Burned Area Emergency Response report was designed to help federal, state and local officials create a plan for restoration efforts.
(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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