PHOTO OF THE WEEK: A RIVER RAN THROUGH JAMUL—BUT HIGHWAY STAYED OPEN

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Photo, left, by Jodie LaRosh, reposted with permission from the JAC

January 7, 2016 (Jamul) –Jodie LaRosh came upon this surreal scene this morning at 7 a.m. at State Route 94.  At a dip in the road near Jamul Estates, rainfall had created a river flooding the road. 

At 8:02 a.m., CHP asked for Caltrans to shut down the roadway. A t 8:27 CHP observed that “water is getting pretty deep” and again asked for a shutdown at Honey Springs and 94.  But at 8:41 a.m., inexplicably, CHP posted,  “SR 94 will remain open –there is a foot of water crossing from the creek.” Signs were posted to alert motorists.

The Facebook page for Jamulians Against Casinos (JAC) posted updates throughout the day to keep Jamul residents informed and the Deerhorn Valley Antler sent “Antler Alerts” to warn of hazards, as did East Counth Magazine. It is unclear why the CHP, Caltrans and County did not shut down the road and allowed such motorists to enter such potentially dangerous fast-flowing waters.

Headaches for Jamulians got worse later in the day, when a vehicle struck a power pole on Honey Springs Road, causing it to shut down for the entire night. 

Ronnie Durfee came across flooding across 94 this afternoon, between Rancho Jamul and Melody Lane. He estimated the depth at even greater than in the morning -18 to 24 inches.  ““CHP was allowing cars to pass but I would not recommend it. Many were turning around and a couple had tried, but became disabled.”


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Comments

Never closed....

As the CHP personnel on-scene realized, this was a risky situation for drivers. But higher ups (evidently) made the decision to just leave a sign and not close the road. Dumb thinking on a lot of levels. Sad to say this has become modus operandi out here. Not too long ago it was a 10-hour closure in 103 degrees that stranded hundreds. No sigalert or signs and CHP even stopped people from turning around. Don't know who makes the decisions about this, but they sure don't know much about Jamul or beyond. God help us if they show the same ignorance during a wildfire or evacuation emergency.

Highway 94 Closure

I went through that "river" around 7:15 AM heading into town. A friend of mine texted me around 9:35 AM to let me know they'd closed Hwy 94 between Lyons Valley Road and Honey Springs.Not sure when it opened back up but when I was headed home around 6:00-ish it was open and there was barely a trickle of water across the road.

Road Closed?

Interesting. Sigalert.com said that 94 WAS closed.