Highway 154 closed due to rock slides as Central Coast sees downed trees and flooding
Road closures, downed trees and flooding were reported Thursday morning after overnight rainfall.
Caltrans closed Highway 154 on Thursday morning between State Route 246 in the Santa Ynez Valley and State Route 192 in Santa Barbara due to rockslides blocking lanes.
There was no estimated time for reopening.
Several roads were closed across Santa Barbara County due to flooding and downed trees.
Santa Barbara County areas had received several inches of rain in the 24-hour period ending at 6 a.m., with the South County’s El Deseo totaling 4.67 inches.
The storm dropped less rain than was expected and Santa Barbara County lifted evacuation orders at 9:30 a.m. Thursday.
The orders were issued Wednesday afternoon for South Coast communities near recent burn areas, due to concerns of storm-related flooding, mudflows and debris flows.
There were minor vehicle accidents and some trees down blocking roads overnight, but no major incidents, County Fire Capt. Scott Safechuck said.
“As people kind of start their day, they’ll be driving down roads they haven’t seen yet,” he said. There could be more fallen trees, rocks or boulders in the roadway, or downed power lines, he said.
People should stay away from embankments of creeks and rivers since they could give way and people could fall into the rushing waters, Safechuck added.
The incident management team and pre-positioned storm response resources remain stationed in South County Thursday morning. The additional staffing resources include water rescue teams, heavy equipment operators and extra crews from local fire departments.
“Repopulation for the evacuation areas is a priority of ours. We will get people back in as soon as it’s safe,” Safechuck said as he headed into a 7 a.m. briefing.
The heavy amount of rainfall, on top of an already-soaked watershed from past storms, could cause a “saturation event,” Montecito Fire Protection District Chief Kevin Taylor said Wednesday. He compared conditions in Montecito to 1969, when a storm caused major damage and fatalities five years after the Coyote Fire burned the hills above the community.
The Thomas Fire burned the hills above Montecito, Summerland, Carpinteria and western Ventura County in late 2017 and the Jan. 9, 2018 Montecito debris flows killed 23 people and damaged hundreds of homes.
As of 6 a.m., 24-hour rainfall totals in the county were: 1.44 inches in Santa Maria; 1.93 inches in Lompoc;2.65 inches in Solvang; 1.44 inches in Goleta; 1.94 inches in Santa Barbara; 1.92 inches in Montecito; and 1.45 inches in Carpinteria.
The National Weather Service expects more rain throughout the day Thursday and a flood watch is in effect countywide until 6 p.m.
“Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible within the entire Watch area. Areas of most concern include the Alisal burn scar (Refugio Canyon and Gaviota Coast), urban roads and freeways, and in creeks and streams,” the NWS said.
“Significant flash flooding is possible anywhere. This includes mud and debris flows in and below Alisal burn scar,” the agency said. “Urban areas should expect significant flooding of some roads and freeways, with major delays or closures. Excessive runoff will result in flooding of creeks and streams.”
The South Coast has a coastal flooding advisory and high surf advisory in effect through Friday.
North County areas have a high surf warning in effect through Friday morning for “dangerously large breaking waves of 16 to 22 feet with dangerous rip currents,” according to the NWS. “Sets up to 25 feet will be possible during the highest surf.”
This story was originally published January 5, 2023 at 8:29 AM.