SAN DIEGO COUNTY, Calif. — Along the scenic central coast Friday, Highway 1 was closed near Big Sur after a section of the roadway collapsed when the cliffside below gave way amid torrential rain from a storm that brought California much-needed rain in what had been a dry winter, according to the California Highway Patrol.
California Highway Patrol in Monterey posted the following information to their Facebook page on Friday:
"State Route 1 between MPM 40 and the San Luis Obispo county line continues to be impacted by inclement weather, debris flow, flooding, and slides. This area is closed to the public. Remain clear of the area and plan alternate routes. Please continue to exercise extreme caution on rural roads, especially at night. Please see CALTRANS website for up-to-date information on road closures," Captain Kyle Foster said.
Highway 1 near coast of Big Sur washes away
Highway crews were to begin damage assessments Friday and there was no estimate on when the popular driving route would reopen, the California Department of Transportation said.
The atmospheric river weather system that barreled ashore in Northern California early in the week rolled quickly through Southern California overnight and was moving east before dawn. Remnants unleashed occasional downpours and hail.
Flash flood watches remained in effect for parts of Southern California and winter storm and avalanche warnings continued in the Sierra. But most of the state was able to turn to cleanup, damage assessments and tallying astonishing rain and snowfall.
