Massive storm could bring 12 inches of rain, flooding to SLO County
Under bright blue skies Tuesday, residents across San Luis Obispo County prepared for a major winter storm to hit the the Central Coast on Wednesday, bringing up to a foot of rain, high winds and potential flooding and power outages.
Rain and gusting winds are expected to hit the county starting early Wednesday morning and continuing through Thursday, said John Lindsey, PG&E meteorologist, in his Tuesday forecast. Other forecasts showed rain arriving as early as Tuesday night.
Lindsey projects the county will receive at least 6 to 10 inches of rain, with gusting winds that could reach 70 mph.
But, he added, “More than 8 and 12 inches of rain may fall in the Santa Lucia Mountains from Big Sur, southward above Cambria, Cayucos and Santa Margarita and along the Irish Hills from Montana de Oro State Park, Diablo Canyon to the Point San Luis Lighthouse.”
The National Weather Service on Tuesday announced a series of county-wide advisories and warnings related to the coming storm.
A high wind warning went into effect at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, and a coastal flood advisory and flash flood watch will go into effect early Wednesday morning. All the weather-related warnings will end on Thursday.
A high surf advisory remains in effect through Friday evening.
Cities urge storm preparation
In response, local leaders warned residents about storm impacts, ordered road closures and provided sand to protect homes from flooding.
In a news release, San Luis Obispo warned residents to get their battery-operated flashlights ready, clear out storm drains, obtain sand if needed and check on vulnerable neighbors.
Additional staff will be ready during the day and nighttime hours to “reduce impacts of the storm,” the city said.
“The city is asking community members to take steps to protect themselves and their property, and prepare for downed trees, flooding near creeks and tributaries, and other damage caused by rain and wind,” the release said.
Paso Robles in a news release estimated the city may receive 9 to 12 inches of rain this week “if the storm stays on its current course.”
City police and Emergency Services staff on Monday began to make contact with homeless residents living in the Salinas Riverbed to make sure they have moved to safety before the waterway fills with rain.
The city wants to avoid repeating an emergency that occurred in 2018, when a CHP helicopter had to be called in to help rescue 10 people from the Salinas River after it suddenly filled with water after heavy rains.
Morro Bay said city staff were preparing by clearing storm drains, securing construction sites, reaching out to residents in flood-prone areas and having employees on standby to deal with potential issues.
“We are expecting a significant storm event to hit Morro Bay starting Wednesday,” Fire Chief Steve Knuckles said. “We implore residents to stay home and off the roads on Wednesday and Thursday, and maintain situational awareness of potential flooding, downed trees and power lines.”
Forecast prompts road closures
In preparation for the storm, authorities closed several roads throughout the county starting on Tuesday afternoon to protect drivers from potential mudslides.
Paso Robles was set to close River Road from Navajo Avenue to 13th Street from 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday through Thursday for safety, “due to mudslides in past storms.”
On the North Coast, Caltrans prepared to close about 45 miles of Highway 1 from Ragged Point to Deetjen’s Big Sur Inn through Thursday, as the storm could cause mudslides along the scenic stretch.
The National Weather Service in the Bay Area also issued a flash flood warning in the Dolan Fire burn scar area in Big Sur, which could also see mudslides.
“Heavy rainfall may lead to debris flows and flash flooding in and near recent burn areas,” the agency said in its warning.
Where can I get sand and sandbags?
Many communities throughout San Luis Obispo County are offering sand to help residents prepare for the storm and prevent flooding.
On Tuesday morning, San Luis Obispo resident Taylor Congdon filled bags at the city’s Corporation Yard on Prado Road, saying he was looking to protect a garage from flooding over the coming days.
These locations will provide sand, but residents must bring their own tools and bags to haul it away. Sandbags are available at many area hardware stores, including Home Depot, Miner’s Ace Hardware, Lowe’s and Farm Supply.
North County
- Paso Robles: City Streets Yard: 1220 Paso Robles St.
- Templeton: Old County Road and Florence Street
- Atascadero: Fire Station 1 at 6005 Lewis Ave.
North Coast
- Los Osos: Station 15, South Bay Fire Department, 2315 Bayview Heights Dr and Los Osos Utilities Water Yard, 8th Street and El Moro Avenue
- Morro Bay: across the street from the Waste Water Treatment Plant at 170 Atascadero Road
- Cambria: Lampton Park, Lampton Street and Laurel Place and Rodeo Grounds Road near the entrance to the East Ranch portion of Fiscalini Ranch Preserve
San Luis Obispo
- City Corporation Yard parking lot, 25 Prado Road
- Laguna Lake Golf Course parking lot, 11175 Los Osos Valley Road
- Santa Rosa Park parking lot, 190 Santa Rosa St.
- Sinsheimer Park parking lot, 900 Southwood Drive
South County
Grover Beach: Public Works Department Corporation Yard: 1150 Farroll Road
Pismo Beach: City Corporation Yard: 550 Frady Lane
Arroyo Grande: City Corporation Yard: 1375 Ash St.
Oceano: 13th and Warner streets and 22nd Street at the Arroyo Grande Creek Bridge
Nipomo: behind CSD office on West Dana Street
This story was originally published January 26, 2021 at 2:01 PM.
