Highway 1 in Big Sur area closed over heavy storm warning

Heavy rains predicted to hit the Big Sur coast on Wednesday temporarily closed Highway 1 at its most vulnerable slide points. The iconic route will remain closed Thursday with a possible reopening Friday morning after the storm has passed, according to Caltrans.

Drivers saw electronic signs starting at 10 a.m. to advise them of the closure with road gates locked at Mud Creek and Paul’s Slide, both south of Big Sur. The only driving alternative to get around the closed slide areas is to take a long detour inland on Nacimiento-Fergusson Road to the 101 Freeway.

Caltrans crews will be assessing and cleaning up the roadway when the storm ends. Agency officials are concerned that heavy storms may mean “continued movement” in the newer sections of the road, which will make driving on the route unsafe.

The agency had warned travelers and locals Tuesday that “an expected significant storm” may mean shutting the route after receiving a National Weather Service forecast of heavy rains.

Mud Creek, the site of an enormous slide in May 2017 that shut the road for months, and Paul’s Slide will have gates on either side across the road that will be locked. The slide was so massive that a new road had to be built on top of it. The road reopened to traffic in July.

Travelers can find up-to-date recorded information on California roads by calling Caltrans at (800) 427-7623. Or they can go to the Caltrans website and enter “1” for Highway 1 to check on highway conditions.

ALSO

O.C. and Riverside counties issue voluntary evacuation warnings in Holy fire burn area

What one hotel inspector looks for (there’s an ick factor) and what one hotelier says about less-than-flattering findings

In this Cleveland hall, classical music is king (and ancient Egypt meets the jazz age)

travel@latimes.com

@latimestravel

ALSO

Rodeo finals are coming to Las Vegas, and tickets are scarce. You can still attend rodeo-watching parties and barrel-racing contests — for free

What one hotel inspector looks for (there’s an ick factor) and what one hotelier says about less-than-flattering findings

In this Cleveland hall, classical music is king (and ancient Egypt meets the jazz age)

UPDATES:

10:15 a.m. Wednesday: This story has been updated with the closure of Highway 1 in two places, and Caltrans predictions on when the road will reopen.