This mud and debris incident occurred on Dunsmore and Markridge in La Crescenta around 7:30 a.m. Photo courtesy of Nick DiGiovanni

By Robin GOLDSWORTHY

The Crescenta Valley woke to mud and debris this Saturday morning as ongoing rain overnight resulted in mud and debris being carried down our local streets.

The National Weather Service extended a flash flood warning in effect until 12:15 p.m. and reported some rates of rainfall are estimated at being over one and half inches per hour. It further warns of possible flash flooding and debris flows across the area immediately below the Station Fire burn area. Locations in the warning include but are not limited to Tujunga, Sunland, La Cañada, La Crescenta and areas immediately downstream of the Station Fire burn area. Precautionary preparedness actions: residents and motorists in and below recently burned areas should be alert to flash flooding and debris flows which may block roads and culverts.

In the foothills, mud and debris has been carried as far south as Honolulu Avenue and Ocean View Boulevard.

At the top of Ocean View Boulevard, boulders have careened down, smashing into cars and houses. Mud and debris has reportedly flowed into homes. The powerful mud flows have carried automobiles from their driveways.

Mud and debris carried all the way down to end of the Ocean View past Honolulu Avenue.

At Ocean View and Castle, there’s been reported almost three feet of mud that moved so quickly that it carried a car into the middle of the intersection.

At Briggs below Foothill there’s mud and debris – some rather large pieces in places.

The Union 76 at Briggs and Foothill reported that water got in their gas tanks so they are closed until it is repaired.

Many roads are impassable with sheriffs units being dispatched to Ocean View Boulevard and Cross, Los Amigos and Encinitas and Angeles Crest Highway and Harter, all in La Cañada. Though no mandatory evacuations have been issued as of 9 a.m. these units are trying to keep the roads clear for public works.

As of this morning there has been very little traffic in the area and the sheriffs department has not reported any road closures. Residents are advised to be prepared to  “shelter in place” as more rain is expected which may lead to more mud and debris being carried onto local roads.

By Shana LiVIGNI

Lutherans are Christians who accept the teachings of Martin Luther (1483 – 1546). Luther was a German theologian who realized that there were major differences between what he read in the Bible and the practices of the Roman Catholic Church at that time. On Oct. 31, 1517, he posted a challenge on the door of Wittenberg University titled “95 Theses” (to debate 95 theological issues). His hope was that the church would reform its practice and preaching to be more consistent with the word of God as contained in the Bible.

The 85-foot statue in front of the church is an icon of Foothill Boulevard and although it’s popularly called “Touchdown Jesus,” the statue is officially called the “Tower of Redemption.” It is neither a model of Jesus nor of a referee, as people often think. It is simply a tunic-clad human figure in an ancient posture of prayer, common among the Hebrews. It represents the people of God at prayer and praise. It also proclaims the story of salvation throughout human history with symbols that are carved into the back of the tower inspired by Psalm 121: “I lift up my eyes to the hills, from where is my help to come? My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth.”

“Our congregation is a very friendly place that seeks to guide people to the teachings, love, and hope of Jesus. We are a very good ‘reach out’ congregation, which means we are quick to respond to needs – local, national and global. We have an exceptional youth ministry and recently started a children’s worship ministry that takes place during our 10:00 a.m. worship service,” explained Pastor Bruce Johnson. “LCIF’s involvement in our community  includes a place for many 12 step programs and we host the AM Kiwanis Club and we host a Boy Scout Leadership team. We have many events in the year where we invite the community to come and share in the excitement and learning that happens.” Many ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) members have a history of mission work in Haiti. Anyone interested in volunteering can sign-up today to receive information in the future on the church website.

The Reverend Bruce Johnson came to LCIF in December 2002, having previously served parishes in Nebraska and Colorado. A native of South Dakota, he and his wife Gwen have three children who all graduated from California Lutheran University. He is a member of the La Cañada AM Kiwanis Club, a member of two ELCA Synod committees and is currently the Foothill Conference Dean, which is a group of ELCA churches in the area. In 2006, LCIF expanded its ministry to include a Children, Youth & Family ministry. Jeremy Serrano was hired as the church’s CYF minister, focusing on the junior and senior high youth. Jeremy and his twin brother Joshua are both attending Fuller Seminary.

The church is dedicated as the “Lutheran Church in the Foothills” communities.  The statue and tower are meant to announce the Good News (Gospel) of Jesus Christ and The church is located at 1700 Foothill Blvd. in La Cañada. Sunday services begin at 10 a.m.  For more information call (818) 790-1951 or visit the website www.lcifoothills.org.

By Mary O’Keefe & Robin Goldsworthy
A press conference was held at 5:40 p.m. Thursday night in La Cañada to provide an update of how recent weather has impacted the area.

Supervisor Michael Antonovich provided information on how the area is faring after being battered by storms since Monday. He recommended that an executive order of a declaration of state of emergency be issued which was signed by acting governor Jerry Brown.

With Schwarzenegger out of state, on his behalf acting governor Jerry Brown today signed the executive order of the declaration of state of emergency for the areas affected by the Station Fire and coping with current flood dangers. The order was presented by L.A. Supervisor Michael Antonovich. The declaration will: waive regulations which may hinder response and recovery efforts, make recovery assistance available under the California Disaster Assistance Act, and expedite access to federal resources and disaster relief programs including the U.S. Army Corp. of Engineers, Antonovich said.
So far, 1991 homes are under mandatory evacuation orders in response to the storms. These homes are located in: Acton – 51 homes evacuated; La Cañada Flintridge – 251 homes; La Crescenta – 217 homes; Glendale – 348 homes; Tujunga/Foothill – 803; S Sierra Madre – 321 homes.
Antonovich noted that the evacuation effort was “a team effort between counties and local cities.” He praised the Crescenta Valley Town Council for being proactive and sponsoring meetings after the Station Fire and before the rains. When asked when folks might be allowed to return to their residences, Antonovich did not give a specific date, instead saying that to send people back to their homes when it is not safe would be “wrong.”
Glendale Fire Chief Harold Scoggins reported that about 80% of Glendale residents agreed to evacuate and no problems were reported. A lot of residents decided to evacuate without delay, remembering the fire and floods of 1975/1978 and even dating back to the 1934 disaster.
Antonovich commented that communication was much improved since the Station Fire, a time when he felt that information was not being delivered in a timely manner – a fact that he said has changed “180%.” He also directed folks to visit the county’s website – http://dpw.lacounty.gov/care/ – to find additional information.
Los Angeles County Fire Department Chief Deputy of Emergency Operations John Tripp said that the threat of flood is still high and the fire department, as first responders for rescue, will maintain an increased level of staffing.
Gail Farber, director of L.A. County Public Works. said that there is an ongoing assessment of the hillsides and public works is monitoring 24/7. She noted that while there are no specific debris basins she is worried about, all are being watched and all above the evacuation areas are the most at risk. L.A. County and Glendale Public Works has been active in the area, driving throughout the foothills to check sandbag placement, seeing if any had been washed away and replacing those damaged. If the sandbags are in the wrong place, they can be washed away becoming part of the problem.
Law enforcement has a strong presence in every evacuated neighborhood and are being diligent in checking every car entering these areas.

On Canyonside Drive public works crews inspected nearby hillsides and sandbags on Thursday afternoon.

To see video of weather in the foothills, visit www.cvweekly.com, click on videos/weather watch 2010/ then scroll down a little to view on web or iTunes. You must have an updated version of Quicktime to view.