Update: More than an inch of rain has fallen in some SLO County spots so far
Update, 3:10 p.m.:
The Five Cities Homeless Coalition will open its warming center Monday evening to provide a place for unhoused residents to stay during the storm.
According to a news release, the warming center will operate from 5:30 p.m. to 7 a.m. at the South County Regional Center, at 800 Branch St. in Arroyo Grande.
Transportation is provided from several locations throughout South County. These include:
- Oceano duck pond at 5:15 p.m.
- Ramona Park at 5:25 p.m.
- Fin’s Restaurant at 5:35 p.m.
- St. Anthony’s at 5:45 p.m.
- Pismo Beach Outlet bus stop at 5:55 p.m.
Pets are not allowed at the warming center.
Update, 12:45 p.m.:
The National Weather Service issued a “special marine warning” for waterspouts on the Pacific Ocean between Point Piedras Blancas and Point Sal through about 12:45 p.m. Monday. Wind gusts out on the ocean may reach up to 34 knots, or about 39 mph, the Weather Service warned.
“Small craft could be damaged in briefly higher winds and suddenly higher waves,” the Weather Service wrote in its special marine warning.
The warning comes as a “strong thunderstorm” was moving toward Morro Bay, expected to make landfall in the early afternoon.
Additionally, the Weather Service issued a “special weather statement” for the county, as “winds in excess of 40 mph and pea size hail” are expected for the county’s coastal areas including Morro Bay, Los Osos, Cayucos and Cambria.
“If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building,” the Weather Service wrote in its statement.
A high surf and small craft advisory is also in effect for the coastal regions as the county gets hit by the first substantial rainstorm of 2022.
Update, 11:15 a.m.:
The first wave of Monday’s storm has dropped as much as an inch and a half of rain in San Luis Obispo County, with the North Coast seeing the heaviest concentration.
As of 11 a.m., Rocky Butte had reported 1.65 inches of rain in the last 24 hours, followed by 1.22 inches in Los Osos, San Simeon and Camp San Luis Obispo and 1.18 inches in Cambria, according to the San Luis Obispo County Public Works Department. Just over an inch of rain fell at the Morro-Toro Fire Station on Highway 41 between Atascadero and Morro Bay.
In the North County, 0.91 inches fell in Santa Margarita, along with 0.55 in Atascadero, 0.75 in Templeton and 0.35 in Shandon.
In the South County, 0.65 inches were reported in Arroyo Grande, along with 0.67 inches in Oceano and 0.51 inches in Nipomo.
The forecast calls for rain throughout the day, tapering off into the evening hours.
Click here for a real-time map of SLO County rainfall totals.
Update, 10:45 a.m.:
In Santa Barbara County, the storm dropped 2 inches of rain overnight, with the likelihood of more wet weather throughout the day.
Monitoring stations showed that El Deseo and San Marcos Pass had the most rain recorded in the past 24 hours, according to the county Public Works Department, and most other South Coast stations showed at least 1 inch as of 9 a.m.
Monitoring stations in the Santa Maria Valley, Lompoc Valley and Santa Ynez Valley showed between a half-inch and an inch of rain recorded as of Monday morning.
Heavy rainfall early Monday prompted the National Weather Service to issue a Flash Flood Warning for the Alisal Fire burn area of southern Santa Barbara County, and local emergency managers issued a shelter-in-place due to the potential for flooding and debris flows.
Both warnings were lifted by 8 a.m., and no major issues were reported as of 9 a.m.
“Rain will continue throughout the day and evening in Santa Barbara County and the Alisal Fire burn area. Thunderstorms capable of producing heavy downpours are possible. Stay aware of potential flooding/debris in the area and hazardous road conditions,” the county Office of Emergency Management said in a social media message Monday morning.
Monday’s rain caused some roadway flooding, at least one pothole large enough to cause a lane closure on Highway 101 (at Sheffield Drive near Montecito), and boulders reported on State Route 154, according to Caltrans and the California Highway Patrol.
Update, 10 a.m.:
The National Weather Service issued a high surf advisory from 3 p.m. today until Tuesday at noon.
The forecast shows large breaking waves from 8 to 11 feet with dangerous rip currents, according to NWS.
Thunderstorms are possible throughout the day, with gusts as high as 30 miles per hour after 11 a.m., according to NWS.
Original story:
Heavy winds and rain from a springtime storm caused in a number of early morning traffic incidents around the Central Coast, with more in the forecast throughout the day.
“A lot of these kind of roads they kind of have old trees and that is our biggest problem,” California Highway Patrol Officer Jose Meza said.
At 8:15 a.m., a traffic collision was reported on Las Tablas Road and Heather Court in the Templeton area, according to CHP.
“I’m assuming it was weather conditions,” Meza said, though he was not certain.
In Los Alamos, flooding caused traffic hazards beginning around 5 a.m. along Highway 101 at the southbound Highway 135 off-ramp, according to the CHP.
The CHP incident log indicates the flooding at southbound Highway 135 continued to impact traffic conditions in the area as of 8:30 a.m.
Trees and power lines were down near 4682 San Simeon Creek Road around 7:12 a.m., according to the CHP log.
After connecting with CHP and Cal Fire, the notification was canceled around 8:30 a.m., so there are probably services in the area rectifying the problems, Meza said.
The CHP is expecting to see more weather-related traffic conditions throughout the day, Meza said.
“If you see something that’s impacting the roadway, please let us know,” Meza said.
The Tribune will be monitoring storm-related traffic conditions and updating this article throughout the day.
This story was originally published March 28, 2022 at 9:23 AM.
