Rod wrote: 
scary stuff

glad you guys are safe and sound

 Alexandra wrote: 
Thanks Alexandra! We are about to go on a walk near Butterfly beach to see what we can see, but they may not be allowing people in there yet and we don’t want to be in anyone’s way.

 Rod wrote:

 
 

 

Glad you're okay!

 ScottFromWyoming wrote: 
Yes, I think it’s a combination. Once the vegetation burns, the slope becomes a feeeway for any water that hits it. I heard something similar regarding the high clay content in the soil in this area. It basically gets baked by the heat and gas, almost like pottery, and becomes this almost impermeable layer keeping the rain from soaking into the ground, hence the flooding and debris flows.

 Rod wrote: 


It's so easy to say "everybody knows" but obviously, messages need to be repeated. Wildfires lead to disaster when the rains come. I have seen a few people post "we're safe at home," and, well, no they probably better double-check your evacuation routes now and have all those valuables moved to a storage unit in Kansas for a while. 
 
I was always under the impression, though, that the rains were so devastating because the grasses etc that held the soil in place were gone. This says that the fire and gases from the burning materials actually creates a water-repellent layer in the soil. (around 8:30 in the video) Innerestin'. 
 

 miamizsun wrote: 
We are fine here, thanks for asking! About 5 minutes away in Montecito though is a lot of devastation. It is horribly sad. After almost a year of no rain, a massive rainstorm hits at exactly the worst time in the burn area. The photos and video are unbelievable. The latest report says 17 dead and many still missing.  A lot of people apparently ignored the mandatory evacuation alerts thinking it was an overreaction and just didn’t leave. Heartbreaking. Hearing the stories from the survivors, it’s just unreal! 

 miamizsun wrote: 
Man, my heart goes out to them.
Hope they are all safe.

hey peeps 

has anyone seen or heard from rod?

montecito has serious mudslides

 Rod wrote: 


This pic is from the 14th.  

.


This one is more revealing and gives a better indication of where things are.  Bigger

 miamizsun wrote: 
Thanks, will do!

 Rod wrote: 
damn

stay safe bud

 Rod wrote: 
 

 Alexandra wrote: We didn't think this was going to be possible, but we are within a few blocks of the voluntary evacuation zone. Staying home from work today to monitor the situation. Unfortunately, no rain in the forecast.

 Rod wrote: 
 
Oh wow - I have been so worried for you all. Do you think you'll have to evacuate? Is there any chance of rain soon? (I remember my first December there being a little rainy, but the heavier ones came in January).

T
The view from our back deck this morning. The Thomas fire has just exploded into Montecito, the firefighters' worst nightmare.

 swell_sailor wrote: 

 Alexandra wrote: 
You can tell they're natives because they still have their adipose fin. 

 Rod wrote: 
 
You'd think the citizens would want to celebrate the crap outta summer, since it's so brief (according to natives).

 Alexandra wrote: 
Yeah, that's surprising. I just googled and found nothing for a Portland solstice parade. You'll have to get on that and help keep Portland weird!

Pssst! Rod! Over here! (So we won't threadjack)
 
Rod wrote:  
None that I know of..........but I'm a newbie.