Flood watch issued for SLO County as powerful atmospheric river moves in
San Luis Obispo County is facing a wide threat of flooding from an incoming atmospheric river event expected to hit the region on Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service.
On Tuesday morning, the Weather Service issued a flood watch for the entire Central Coast. The flood watch is in effect from 4 p.m. on Wednesday through 10 a.m. on Thursday.
“An atmospheric river pushing through the region Wednesday night into Thursday morning will support periods of heavy rainfall with rates up to around an inch per hour, prompting concern for flooding and flash flooding across the region,” the Weather Service wrote in its flood watch Tuesday. “Rainfall totals of 2-4 inches will be common with 4-8 inches expected in the mountains, highest across the Santa Lucia mountains and Santa Ynez mountains east into south-facing interior Santa Barbara mountains.”
Excessive rainfall runoff could cause creeks and streams to overflow and low-lying areas to flood, the Weather Service warned.
San Luis Obispo County residents can check whether their home is in a flood hazard area identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, by going to its website at www.msc.fema.gov/portal/home.
Areas in the county that are considered at increased risk of flooding include much of downtown Avila Beach near San Luis Obispo Creek, some areas of Pismo Beach around Pismo Creek, areas of Arroyo Grande and Oceano around Arroyo Grande Creek, and areas of Morro Bay including Morro Bay High School and low-lying spots around Morro Creek.
Residents can get sand to put in sandbags at various locations around the county. For a complete list, go to www.tinyurl.com/slo-sandbags.
For up-to-date information on road closures or issues, residents can visit www.tinyurl.com/sloroads.
“We are responding to calls for fallen trees, mud, debris, and flooding as we did over New Year’s weekend,” wrote county Public Works public information officer Paula McCambridge in an email to The Tribune on Tuesday. “For routine calls, residents can call us at 805-781-5252. For emergencies and road hazards, the public should call the CHP, which for emergencies would be 911.”
This story was originally published January 3, 2023 at 12:55 PM.
