As New Storms Approach, Big Sur Evacuates Tourists

Big Sur has a lot going for it: beautiful beaches, lovely redwood groves and dramatic views. But now it’s also lacking a few things: a road to the outside world, electricity and tourists.

Authorities continued Thursday to evacuate people by helicopter before a new series of storms smacks the scenic stretch of coast.

A storm earlier this weak washed out parts of California 1 north and south of the area and left homes, inns and businesses without electricity.

“It hasn’t been this bad since 1983,” said Dan Priano, general manager of Big Sur Lodge. The inn, nestled in a state park, lost its guests Wednesday as the Army National Guard flew about 350 people--mostly visitors--to nearby Monterey.

Residents throughout the state, particularly in hard-hit Northern California, braced for a new round of storms Thursday, as people scooped up sandbags and other supplies and the American Red Cross readied shelters.

Helicopter flights shuttled both tourists and residents out of Big Sur, and authorities flew in food and water for residents planning to sit out the weekend storms.

Those remaining included Priano and the 45 employees of the Big Sur Lodge. For them, winter road closures and power outages are a matter of course.

“You’ve just got to take it from day to day,” Priano said. “There’s no point getting stressed out about it.”