Storm Update as of Thursday Morning

Montecito Creek flows Wednesday morning March 21 under East Valley Rd. in Montecito. Nearby are homes that were destroyed from the deadly Jan 9 debris flow. (Photo: Mike Eliason / SBCFD)

Update by County of Santa Barbara

Storm Update: March 22, 6 a.m.
Significant Increase in Storm Intensity Forecasted

The National Weather Service is anticipating storm intensity to increase significantly beginning Thursday morning (March 22) and continuing through the early Friday countywide. Rainfall rates will range from half-inch to one-inch per hour with rates in excess of one-inch per hour during thunderstorms. The Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Management issued a storm update and Aware and Prepare alert to residents countywide at 5:20 a.m.

These rainfall rates pose a real threat for debris flows in all recent burn areas as well as periods of urban and small stream flooding. The National Weather Service issued a flash flood watch for all of Santa Barbara County through 5 pm on Thursday, March 22. Public safety officials are asking the community to remain vigilant and to understand the potential strength of this storm and the immediate threat it may pose to your safety.

“The present wave of this storm is much stronger and more dangerous than what we have experienced over the last 24 hours,” said Rob Lewin, Director of the Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Management. He added, “This is a very serious situation. We all need to stay safe by following the directions of our public safety leaders. Stay out of evacuation areas. Exercise extreme caution when driving.”

For information, the public may call 2-1-1 or the storm information line at 1-833-688-5551. The Red Cross Evacuation Center at Earl Warren Showgrounds is open and sheltering evacuees. Large and small animals have been evacuated to Earl Warren Showgrounds, County Animal Services and the Santa Barbara Humane Society.

March 22 – Facts as of 6:00 a.m.

Public information line is 833-688-5551

• There are approximately 21,000 people living in the evacuation areas with a daytime population of approximately 30,000
• Red Cross Evacuation Center at Earl Warren – 46 people overnight

• Casa Dorinda is fully evacuated
• Carpinteria Senior Lodge evacuated
• Futures Unlimited evacuated
• Grandvita Senior Living is sheltering in place

• 76 horses
• 8 donkeys
• 1 pig
• 13 goats/sheep
• 7 alpacas/llamas
• 4 cows
• 7 rabbits
• 14 chickens

• 18 guinea pigs
• 7 rabbits
• 1 gecko
• 6 cats
• 37 chickens from this storm
• 48 chickens from 1/9 storm

• 17 cats
• 18 dogs

• Fire engines = 10
• 4 wheel drive fire engines = 13
• Fire patrol vehicles = 4
• Fire Hand crews = 3
• Ambulances = 3
• 4 wheel ambulances = 1
• National Guard H2O Rescue Vehicles = 10
• Helicopters = 2
• Excavators = 1
• Bull Dozers = 1
• Swift H2O Rescue Teams = 4
• Regular Task Force = 4
• SB Sheriff Deputies = 40
• SB City Police Officers = 22

• Flash Flood Watch issued for entire Santa Barbara County through 5pm today.
• Risk of debris flow in burn areas and urban and small stream flooding
• Rainfall rates expected to reach .5-1 inch per hour with rates in excess of 1 inch per hour near thunderstorms
• Rainfall raites have reached 1/3″ in a 15 minute period.
• Lightning has been viewed and is an indicator of higher rainfall rates so will be watched closely.

Source: County of Santa Barbara

Update on March 20 – 22, 2018 Storm
As of March 21, 3 p.m.

The National Weather Service is anticipating higher intensity rainfall later today (Wednesday, March 21) into Thursday, March 22. Public safety officials are asking the community to remain vigilant and understand the potential strength of this storm.

Although the National Weather Service predicted a half-inch per hour, Tuesday night’s rainfall reached a 1/3 of an inch per hour. There were some short durations of high intensity rain with little flooding or debris flow. “With the debris basins empty, the creek channels are doing their job to carry significant amounts of rock and debris,” said Rob Lewin, director of the Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Management. He added, “We are referring to this moment as ‘half time’ for this storm because the area is seeing a slight lull, but we have to be ready for the next much stronger part of this storm.”

According to the National Weather Service, lightning strikes have occurred offshore. Lightning can be an indicator of higher rainfall rates and will be watched closely. While there will be lulls throughout the duration of the storm, the heaviest rain is expected between 5 a.m. and 11 a.m. tomorrow, Thursday, March 22. The foothills and mountains could see up to 0.5 to 0.75 inches per hour which meets or exceeds the threshold to trigger debris flows.

Residents have taken action to protect themselves and their family pets. The Red Cross Evacuation Center at Earl Warren Showgrounds sheltered 32 people as of Tuesday night.

Large and small animals have been evacuated to Earl Warren Showgrounds, County Animal Services and the Santa Barbara Humane Society with a total of 235 animals receiving sheltered care.

March 21 – Facts

Center / public information line is 833-688-5551

• There are approximately 21,000 people living in the evacuation areas with a daytime population of approximately 30,000
• Red Cross Evacuation Center at Earl Warren – 32 people overnight

• Casa Dorinda is fully evacuated
• Carpinteria Senior Lodge evacuated
• Futures Unlimited evacuated
• Grandvita Senior Living is sheltering in place

• 76 horses
• 8 donkeys
• 1 pig
• 13 goats/sheep
• 7 alpacas/llamas
• 4 cows
• 7 rabbits
• 14 chickens

• 18 guinea pigs
• 7 rabbits
• 1 gecko
• 6 cats
• 37 chickens from this storm
• 48 chickens from 1/9 storm

• 17 cats
• 18 dogs

• Fire engines = 10
• 4 wheel drive fire engines = 13
• Fire patrol vehicles = 4
• Fire Hand crews = 3
• Ambulances = 3
• 4 wheel ambulances = 1
• National Guard H2O Rescue Vehicles = 10
• Helicopters = 2
• Excavators = 1
• Bull Dozers = 1
• Swift H2O Rescue Teams = 4
• Regular Task Force

• As of March 21 morning, the highest rates have been 1/3” per hour.
• Short duration of higher intensities have occurred, but did not have the accumulation to reach a concern.
• Lightning was viewed from cells offshore. Lightning is an indicator of higher rainfall rates so will be watched closely
• Lull will be seen through the day today and expected to pick up this evening and leading into tomorrow morning
• Tomorrow morning (0500-1100) is the time of greatest concern and instability. Could see .5”-3/4” per hour in the morning.
• Continuing rain through the day Thursday, possible until Friday morning, but at a lighter level