SLO County under flood watch as major storm prepares to hit California

The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for San Luis Obispo County as a major winter storm approaches California.

The flood watch was issued for much of the Central Coast and will be in effect from late Thursday night to late Friday night.

According to the service, a “slow-moving atmospheric river storm system will result in many hours of steady-to-moderate heavy rain.”

Rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches are expected through much of the area, though northwest San Luis Obispo County could see between 5 and 10 inches, according to the watch alert.

Excessive runoff could result in “dangerous flooding of rivers, creeks, streams and other low-lying and flood-prone locations,” the service warned. That includes the Salinas, Sisquoc and Santa Ynez rivers.

The National Weather Service said those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action, and warned drivers not to cross flooded roadways.

Kaytlyn Leslie

The Tribune

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Kaytlyn Leslie writes about business and development for The San Luis Obispo Tribune. Hailing from Nipomo, she also covers city governments and happenings in San Luis Obispo. She joined The Tribune in 2013 after graduating from Cal Poly with her journalism degree.