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Storm photos: Scenes from the city of SLO as downtown streets close, Laguna Lake overflows

By Tribune staff report

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Central Coast Storms

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The massive storm that hit the Central Coast on Monday brought flooding and damage across San Luis Obispo County.

As of 7:30 p.m. Monday, evacuations remained in effect in both the North County and South County. As we entered night, thousands of SLO County residents were in the dark as power outages caused by the torrential winter storm continued.

The scenes from across the county were devastating. And in the city of San Luis Obispo, the heavy rains closed roads and caused San Luis Obispo Creek and Laguna Lake to overflow their banks. Here’s a look at what residents encountered in the city on Monday.

To see a much larger collection of photos and video from across the county, please go here: See dramatic photos, videos of flooding, fallen trees as SLO County gets hit by another storm

Have photos from this severe storms in SLO County? You can share them with us at sanluisobispo.com/submit-photo.

Two people watch a rushing San Luis Obispo Creek downtown on Jan. 9, 2023.
Two people watch a rushing San Luis Obispo Creek downtown on Jan. 9, 2023. Stephanie Zappelli szappelli@thetribunenews.com
Storm debris piles up on the Marsh Street bridge near on-ramps to Highway 101 as rain falls over San Luis Creek. Flooding in SLO County was widespread Jan. 9, 2023, as another “atmospheric river” storm hit the coast.
Storm debris piles up on the Marsh Street bridge near on-ramps to Highway 101 as rain falls over San Luis Creek. Flooding in SLO County was widespread Jan. 9, 2023, as another “atmospheric river” storm hit the coast. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com
Laguna Lake is almost to the sidewalk at Madonna Road in San Luis Obispo.
Laguna Lake is almost to the sidewalk at Madonna Road in San Luis Obispo. Laura Dickinson ldickinson@thetribunenews.com
Business along South Higuera Street at South Street in San Luis Obispo were hit with flood water, mud and debris.
Business along South Higuera Street at South Street in San Luis Obispo were hit with flood water, mud and debris. Laura Dickinson ldickinson@thetribunenews.com
Business along South Higuera Street at South Street in San Luis Obispo were hit with flood water, mud and debris.
Business along South Higuera Street at South Street in San Luis Obispo were hit with flood water, mud and debris. Laura Dickinson ldickinson@thetribunenews.com
Business along South Higuera Street at South Street in San Luis Obispo were hit with flood water, mud and debris.
Business along South Higuera Street at South Street in San Luis Obispo were hit with flood water, mud and debris. Laura Dickinson ldickinson@thetribunenews.com
The creek from a flood Laguna Lake is raging along homes of Oceanaire Drive south of Froom Ranch Way bridge.
The creek from a flood Laguna Lake is raging along homes of Oceanaire Drive south of Froom Ranch Way bridge. Laura Dickinson ldickinson@thetribunenews.com
College students paddle out of their back yard into Laguna Lake to help families retrieve their floating away furniture as a storm pounded San Luis Obispo on Jan. 9, 2023.
College students paddle out of their back yard into Laguna Lake to help families retrieve their floating away furniture as a storm pounded San Luis Obispo on Jan. 9, 2023. Luke Silver
Oceanaire Drive west of Madonna Road is flooded by nearby Laguna Lake is San Luis Obispo. The road was closed at the intersection on Jan. 9, 2023.
Oceanaire Drive west of Madonna Road is flooded by nearby Laguna Lake is San Luis Obispo. The road was closed at the intersection on Jan. 9, 2023. Laura Dickinson ldickinson@thetribunenews.com
Oceanaire Drive is flooded with Laguna Lake water. The lake is up to the sidewalk on Madonna Road.
Oceanaire Drive is flooded with Laguna Lake water. The lake is up to the sidewalk on Madonna Road.
Workers try to divert water away from Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo in Monday, Jan. 9, 2023.
Workers try to divert water away from Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo in Monday, Jan. 9, 2023. Stephanie Zappelli szappelli@thetribunenews.com
Floodwaters fill the parking lot in front of McNamara Realty near the corner of South Higuera and Marsh Streets. Flooding in SLO county was widespread Jan. 9, 2023, as another “atmospheric river” storm hit the coast.
Floodwaters fill the parking lot in front of McNamara Realty near the corner of South Higuera and Marsh Streets. Flooding in SLO county was widespread Jan. 9, 2023, as another “atmospheric river” storm hit the coast. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com
San Luis Obispo police blocked South Higuera street near Marsh Street as San Luis Creek overflowed if its banks. Flooding in SLO county was widespread Jan. 9, 2023, as another “atmospheric river” storm hit the coast.
San Luis Obispo police blocked South Higuera street near Marsh Street as San Luis Creek overflowed if its banks. Flooding in SLO county was widespread Jan. 9, 2023, as another “atmospheric river” storm hit the coast. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com
Water drips from an awning in downtown San Luis Obispo in Monday, Jan. 9, 2023.
Water drips from an awning in downtown San Luis Obispo in Monday, Jan. 9, 2023. Elizabeth Wilson ewilson@thetribunenews.com
Morro Street is closed in downtown San Luis Obispo on Monday, Jan. 9, 2023.
Morro Street is closed in downtown San Luis Obispo on Monday, Jan. 9, 2023. Stephanie Zappelli szappelli@thetribunenews.com
Travelers were soaked by rain at the San Luis Obispo County Airport on Monday, Jan. 9, 2023.
Travelers were soaked by rain at the San Luis Obispo County Airport on Monday, Jan. 9, 2023.

This story was originally published January 9, 2023 at 7:52 PM.

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Central Coast Storms

Click on the arrow below to read more on the storms and flooding on the Central Coast.

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