A storm heading into Santa Barbara County later this week could cause heavy rainfall in some areas, and in some areas where wind and snow are expected, according to the National Weather Service.
“You have everything in Santa Barbara County,” said John Dumas, a NWS meteorologist at Oxnard.
After a dry Tuesday, a severe storm is forecast to stop over the region on Wednesday and Thursday, especially in northern Santa Barbara County, the NWS forecast said.
The storm will move through the area Thursday and Friday.
The total rainfall from Tuesday night to Friday night is expected to fluctuate between 4 inches and 8 inches in Santa Barbara County, with the western and northern parts of the country getting higher, according to the National Weather Service forecast.
“The number depends on where you are in Santa Barbara County,” Dumas said, adding. “I would say that 5 inches would not be unreasonable, but less (rain) over Santa Barbara itself.”
So much rainfall could cause localized flooding and other problems, and officials say they will be watching the recent fire areas for major problems.
Aaron Briner, a battalion commander at the Montecito Fire Protection District, said in a statement Tuesday that the rainfall and winds of this storm increase the risk of rock falls on mountain and canyon roads, floods and traffic backlogs and accidents.
“The Storm Impact consideration map will be used by emergency managers to consider evacuation needs if there is an expected rainfall area with a period of high intensity / short-term rainfall reaching approximately two centimeters of rain over two to three days,” he writes. .
Santa Barbara County’s Storm Impact Consideration Map shows areas below the Thomas Fire Fire Area that could be affected by storm-related floods and debris flow. The map shows the communities of Montecito, Summerland and Carpinteria Valley. (Screenshot via ReadySBC.org)
Briner said emergency managers do not expect to issue the evacuation warnings or orders for this storm, but that could change if the forecast or weather conditions change.
The Thomas Fire Storm Impact Consideration Map and FEMA Flood Risk Map are available online at https://readysbc.org/maps/.
The province has also compiled a storm-related risk map for the 2019 Cave Fire fire area.
Tom Fayram, deputy director of water resources in Santa Barbara County, said the province is in constant contact with the agencies in the storm impact team in Montecito.
The province will monitor the rainfall, and ‘should rubbish be produced, we will mobilize, as we have done over the years to restore conditions’, Fayram said in an email to Noozhawk.
The predicted wind and snow had a warning for the winter storm for the Santa Barbara County mountains that takes effect Monday at 10 p.m. The weather service said the warning included the San Marcos Pass, the San Rafael Wilderness and the Dick Smith Wilderness Area.
Gusts up to 65 km / h are suggested in the forecast, and the total amount of snow may be between 2-5 centimeters in some areas.
Snow can affect low altitudes, up to 2500 feet on Monday night, and up to 5,000 feet on Wednesday.
“In general, it will be a major rain and snow event, especially in the provinces of San Luis Obispo / Santa Barbara,” the NWS forecast said.
Elevation during the day should be close to 60 degrees on Tuesday and mid 50 to Wednesday, with lows overnight in the 40s.
Hail stops Monday at Jalama Road in western Santa Barbara County. (Mike Eliason Photo)
Lake Cachuma has about 64% capacity, the Jameson Reservoir of Montecito at about 74%, the Twitchell Reservoir was nearly 2% and Santa Barbara’s Gibraltar Reservoir was more than 9% full on Monday afternoon, according to the Province Flood Control District.
“We need this rain for any hope of flowing to our reservoirs this year,” Fayram said.
On Monday afternoon, the province was about 31% of its normal rainfall and measured about 15% of the normal rainfall in the water year that begins on September 1 and ends on August 31.
“We need the rain, but will also be on top of it,” Fayram said.
Wind, high surf advice for South Coast areas
According to the NWS, coastal areas will also get strong winds this week.
A wind warning will be in effect on the South Coast of Santa Barbara County until Monday at 10 p.m., including the Santa Barbara, Montecito and Carpinteria areas.
Northwest winds are forecast 20-35 mph, with gusts up to 50 mph. Forecasters said travel on rich roads could potentially be affected by windy cross winds, including Highway 101, Highway 154 and Highway 192 in Santa Barbara County.
“Delay and consider alternative routes to avoid highways in the mountains,” the office of emergency management wrote Twitter.
In addition, there will be high advice for surfers on some beaches on the South Coast until 6pm on Tuesday.
Waves of 5-8 meters and dangerous tear currents are expected until Tuesday morning on exposed west on the west side, with possible local sets up to 10 feet. Surf is expected to slow slowly Tuesday afternoon, forecasters said.
According to the NWS, there is potential for localized flooding in coastal areas due to high waves and the rainfall that is expected later this week.
Storm Preparation Tips
Santa Barbara County recently updated its flood and rubble risk map under the Thomas Fire fire area in Montecito, Summerland and Carpinteria.
It can be viewed online by clicking here, and the province has more resources for storm preparation available at readysbc.org/storm-ready/.
Sign up online here for emergency alerts from the country, or follow the directions at readysbc.org.
The Nixle Alert System sends 138 messages, and residents can sign up by sending their zip code to 888777.
Residents need to prepare themselves by taking steps to protect their properties and businesses, such as placing sandbags in areas they say are prone to flooding, said Kelly Hubbard, director of the Office of Emergency Management.
»Click here for information on where sandbags can be found in the country.
Residents should also consider checking their emergency kits to make sure they are charged with working batteries, flashlights, water, food, first aid kits and other items.
»Click here for a homeowners guide to flood prevention and response, and click here for the guide in Spanish.
“Once the rain starts, residents should consider staying home if possible,” Hubbard said. “When driving, turn around and do not cross flooded roads. It only takes a few inches of water to create unsafe conditions.”
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– The author of the Noozhawk staff, Brooke Holland, can be reached (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Get in touch with Noozhawk on Facebook.