With heavy storms in the forecast, Highway 1 on Big Sur coast to close temporarily

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY, Calif. - Highway 1 will close Tuesday evening to support evacuation efforts due to heavy storms in Monterey County.

Caltrans says it will close Highway 1 on the Big Sur Coast between Ragged Point in San Luis Obispo County and Deetjen's Big Sur Inn in Monterey County at 5 p.m.

A major rainstorm is expected to hit landfall in the Monterey Bay area late Tuesday night into early Wednesday morning. There might be downed trees and power lines due to powerful winds, Caltrans said.

Monterey County has issued an evacuation warning for areas at risk of debris flow in the Dolan Fire burn scar. The Dolan Fire burned more than 120,000 acres in the Big Sur area last August.  

Caltrans says it is working with local agencies to minimize travel into Big Sur to allow residents and businesses to evacuate in the safest way possible.

There will be barricades, cones and directional signs in place at both ends of the closure areas to alert drivers traveling in the area. 

The closure will remain in place until Thursday.

Heavy wind is forecast for majority of the Central Coast. For the latest weather conditions, click here.