The Santa Barbara Airport was forced to shut down after continuous rainfall caused the airfield to flood on December 25, 2025, the airport announced in a social media post.
All commercial flights and fixed-wing aircraft have been grounded, the Santa Barbara Airport shared on X on December 25, 2025. Travelers have been advised to contact their airlines directly to get information about specific flights.
In an update at 10 p.m.PT, the airport said crews were still working to pump water off the runways.
As of 10 pm the SBA crew is still hard at work pumping water off the runways. No estimate on reopening time yet. Updates will be posted as they’re available.
More info at https://t.co/gNpnuYxuKV pic.twitter.com/DYjShh7CN0
— Santa Barbara Airport (@SBAirport) December 26, 2025
“No estimate on reopening time yet. Updates will be posted as they’re available,” the airport said in the post on X.
The airport also shared a video showing crews pumping water off one of the runways.
Standing water on runways is a known aviation hazard that can reduce braking effectiveness and increase the risk of aircraft sliding, according to aviation safety guidance from the World Meteorological Organization. Such conditions typically prompt runway closures until it is safe to resume operations.
Airlines Notified About Airport Closure
The closure has left travelers stranded and facing disruptions during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
The heavy rainfall had flooded the airfield at the Santa Barbara Airport at 1:15 a.m. PT on Christmas Day, causing it to temporarily close, according to its website.
Crews worked overnight on Christmas Day to clear the runways, enabling the airport to resume operations at 9:15 a.m., according to the website. Airlines were notified, and travelers were directed to contact their carriers for flight information.
However, the severe weather conditions and subsequent flooding later in the day forced the airport to close again.
On Christmas Eve, although flooding had occurred in “a few select areas of the airfield,” the main runways stayed open and operational, the airport said on X. The post included images of the partially flooded airfield.
Santa Barbara Airport Reopens on December 26
As of 9:20 am on December 26, Santa Barbara Airport reopened and all flights were cleared to resume normal operations.
SBA stated that airlines were notified and will work to resume service.
As of 9:20 am on December 26, SBA has reopened and all flights are cleared to resume normal operations. Airlines have been notified and will work to resume service. Please contact your carrier directly for information about a specific flight.
More info: https://t.co/gNpnuYxuKV pic.twitter.com/XkgBOavAXO
— Santa Barbara Airport (@SBAirport) December 26, 2025
Holiday Storms Sweep Across California
Powerful winter storms have been sweeping across California, with the National Weather Service (NWS) issuing a flash flood warning for Santa Barbara County until 2 a.m. PT on December 26, 2025.
Wettest Christmas Eve-Christmas Day Holiday season at downtown Los Angeles in the last 54 years. Wettest period for many locations across SW CA. Check out the latest Public Information Statement for all the details: https://t.co/gdTWUpRfuF #LAWeather #socal #LARain
— NWS Los Angeles (@NWSLosAngeles) December 25, 2025
This has been the wettest Christmas Eve-Christmas Day holiday period at downtown Los Angeles in the past 54 years, and among the wettest on record for many locations across southwestern California, the NWS shared on X.
South-western California received record rainfall on December 24, 2025, the NWS said on its website.
Earlier this week, Governor Gavin Newsom mobilized state resources ahead of the powerful winter storms, with state agencies positioning emergency crews, equipment, and resources to respond quickly and protect public safety.
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This is what happens when you build an airport on what used to be wetlands area.
The wetness came from the sky.
They built highways over oceans and tunnel under oceans, seems they can build a couple miles over a swamp
As usual, a comment totally unrelated to the topic.
Your point in that thoughtless comment is??
Anonymous – the article you see is about runway flooding. My response implied that an idiot could build a runway above the swamp.
Since you’re in that demographic, give it a try.
Yes, that’s certainly what an idiot would do.
Not that it’s even remotely relevant here, but it took 6 years to build the chunnel.