1,600 People Stranded After Section of California’s Scenic Highway 1 Collapses During Storm
Emergency convoys began leading people out of the area on Sunday as crews worked “to stabilize” the roadway, according to Caltrans
Caltrans District 5 via AP
A look at the damage to California Highway 1, shared on social media by Caltrans District 5A portion of California's Highway 1 remains closed after a portion of the roadway collapsed on Saturday, authorities said
The collapse left an estimated 1,600 people stranded overnight, leading some to sleep in their cars
Convoys began leading people out of the area on Sunday
An estimated 1,600 individuals were left stranded after a portion of California’s scenic Highway 1 collapsed amid inclement weather over Easter weekend.
The roadway was closed from Palo Colorado to Limekiln on Saturday “due to a slip-out near Rocky Creek,” according to District 5 of California’s Department of Transportation, also known as Caltrans.
The collapse occurred as a major storm passed through the area, stranding about 1,600 residents and visitors, the San Francisco Chronicle and The Washington Post reported.
Numerous people reportedly stayed at local hotels, including Big Sur River Inn and Ripplewood Resort, or slept in their cars.
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Emergency convoys began leading people out of the area Sunday as crews worked “to stabilize” the roadway, according to Caltrans.
All state parks in the Big Sur Area — including Pfeiffer Big Sur, Andrew Molera, Limekiln, Julia Pfeiffer Burns, and Point Sur State Historic — were also closed “to day use and camping” following the road slip on Highway 1, California State Parks said.
All camping reservations were canceled as a result, according to the state agency.
Caltrans District 5 via AP
A Caltrans-provided photo showing the damaged portion of Highway 1Related: Survivor of 1972 Bridge Collapse Shares His Story of Hope After Francis Scott Key Bridge Tragedy
The scenic highway remains closed as of Monday, Caltrans said. Authorities have asked people to stay away from the area as crews continue working on stabilizing the road.
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Caltrans spokesperson Kevin Drabinski said the agency hopes to temporarily stabilize the edge of the roadway while experts work out a more permanent plan, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
Convoys will continue periodically, Drainski noted, per the San Francisco Chronicle and Associated Press.
Related: 45 Dead After Bus Full of Easter Worshippers Plunges Off Bridge with 8-Year-Old Child Only Survivor
It is unclear how long it will take for repairs to be made to Highway 1. The roadway is prone to extreme weather-related issues due to its steep topography, per The Washington Post.
A Monterey County tourist official said the last Highway 1 washout cost half a billion dollars and left the road closed for a year, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
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