Emergency Officials Monitoring Current Storm
Preparations Are Being Made for More Incoming Storms In Next 72 Hours
Officials from the Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Services (OES) and the Santa Barbara County Flood Control District (District) continue to monitor the local weather situation and impacts to the Operational Area.
This rainfall has resulted in runoff in all major creeks and rivers, including areas of the recent burn areas. In preparation for more incoming storms over the next 72 hours, County Flood Control crews are working on clearing recently constructed debris racks in the burn areas. In addition, County Road crews are responding to mud and rock slides in the mountain areas as well as localized flooding issues in our urban communities.
Drivers should continue to exercise caution if they are out and about driving today. Officials want to remind residents to check the current road conditions and rain totals in the County online and to stay in-touch with OES messages by subscribing at online.
As of 3:30pm Sunday December 19, 2010, the South Coast of Santa Barbara County has received 5 to 6 inches of rain, with over 10 inches in some mountain areas. North County has received 3.5 to 5.5 inches of rain.
On the Santa Ynez River, the rains have produced runoff into the three reservoirs, with Gibraltar Reservoir up 4.5 feet since the storm began. Cachuma Lake is also receiving runoff and is rising slowly. The Santa Maria River Peaked over 6,000 cubic feet per second. Recent work on the Levee, including pilot channel work in the river is performing as planned. While no problems exist on the Levee, County crews will be patrolling the Santa Maria River into the night and monitoring other creeks.
The County of Santa Barbara urges all residents to remain prepared for changing weather conditions, monitor local media and follow emergency official’s instruction. Sand Bags are available at the County Corporate Yards in Santa Barbara (near the County Transfer Station) and Santa Maria (on West Foster Road), at Fire Station 14 on Los Carneros Road in Goleta, and at Montecito Fire Station #1 on San Ysidro Road in Montecito.