More than 7 inches of rain fell in one SLO County spot. Here’s how much your area got

One San Luis Obispo County spot received more than 7 inches of rain over the last 24 hours as a powerful storm swept the Central Coast.

Rocky Butte near San Simeon had gathered 7.72 inches of rain between 6:30 p.m. Sunday and 6:30 p.m. Monday, according to the San Luis Obispo County Public Works Department.

In the same timeframe, most other areas of the county recorded 2 to 5 inches of rainfall.

According to the county Public Work Department’s live rain data, precipitation rose rapidly on Monday morning.

Some spots measured more than a half-inch of rain in an hour, representing a strong downpour that caused flooding in several areas across the county.

Heavy rain was expected to continue throughout Monday, according to the National Weather Service, and a flash flood watch was in effect until midnight.

The agency first issued a flood watch for the Central Coast — covering all cities in San Luis Obispo County — warning of excessive runoff that may result in “extensive street flooding and flooding of creeks, streams, and other low-lying areas.”

Rock slides and mud slides “may become a significant problem,” the Weather Service said.

“A strong Pacific storm system will bring periods of widespread heavy rainfall with rates between one half and one inch per hour, possibly higher near thunderstorms and favored foothill areas,” the Weather Service’s flood watch said. “Rainfall totals of 2 to 5 inches are expected in coastal and valley areas, with 4 to 8 inches expected in the foothills and mountains. Local rainfall totals over 10 inches are possible.”

The flood watch is in effect until Tuesday at 11 a.m., according to the Weather Service.

The Weather Service also issued a high wind warning for the entire county in effect through 10 p.m. Monday.

Wind gusts up to 60 miles per hour are expected, according to the Weather Service.

“Damaging winds may blow down trees and power lines, possibly causing power outages,” the Weather Service said in its warning. “Travel will be difficult, especially for drivers of high profile vehicles.”

According to meteorologist John Lindsey, a break in the weather is expected on Wednesday through Friday before another low-pressure system produces southerly winds, rain and high westerly swell next Saturday and Sunday.

SLO County rainfall totals

The San Luis Obispo County Public Works Department tracks rainfall at locations across the county.

Here’s how much rain was measured at these San Luis Obispo County spots in the 24-hour period ending at 6:30 p.m. Monday:

• Rocky Butte: 7.72 inches of rain
• Camp San Luis Obispo: 5.71 inches
• Morro Toro: 5.79 inches
• Atascadero: 4.92 inches
  
  
• Santa Margarita: 4.35 inches
• Templeton: 5.34 inches
  
  
• East Nipomo: 5.05 inches
  
  
• Los Osos Landfill: 4.14 inches
• Morro Bay at Highway 1 and Canet Road: 3.83 inches

• Los Berros: 4.02

• Lopez Lake: 2.82 inches

• San Luis Obispo at Broad Street and Industrial Way: 3.9 inches

• San Luis Obispo Reservoir (near Reservoir Canyon Road and Highway 101): 2.7 inches

• Cambria: 3.29 inches
• San Simeon: 2.79 inches

• Arroyo Grande: 3.79 inches

• Shandon: 2.57 inches

• Oceano: 3.22 inches
• Santa Margarita Lake: 1.7 inches

This story will be updated throughout the day.

This story was originally published January 9, 2023 at 10:29 AM.

Mackenzie Shuman

The Tribune

805-781-7844

Mackenzie Shuman primarily writes about SLO County education and the environment for The Tribune. She’s originally from Monument, Colorado, and graduated from Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication in May 2020. When not writing, Mackenzie spends time outside hiking and rock climbing.