Fear of mudslides prompts voluntary evacuation notice in Santa Cruz area hit by wildfire

Mudslide concern leads to Santa Cruz evacuations

DAVENPORT, Calif. — Officials are asking residents to leave their homes in the Santa Cruz Mountains, where summer wildfires have made conditions ripe for mudslides.

With heavy rain falling, the Santa Cruz County Emergency Operations Center issued a reverse 911 calling system Tuesday alerting residents in Davenport to evacuate. The voluntary advisory affects about 60 homes.

Spokeswoman Dinah Phillips did not know how many people heeded the warning.

The Lockheed Fire burned 7,817 acres, or 12 square miles, in August. With little vegetation now on the hillsides, heavy rain could lead to mudslides and debris flow.