Weather News

SLO County storm updates: Road closures, Highway 1 closure

Los Osos resident Bruce Hendry joined the cleanup effort with his son, Sawyer, and rain splashed on the pair as they shoveled mud out of Kay Blaney’s driveway on Vista Court on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. An evacuation warning for the neighborhood was lifted on Sunday, Jan. 15.
Los Osos resident Bruce Hendry joined the cleanup effort with his son, Sawyer, and rain splashed on the pair as they shoveled mud out of Kay Blaney’s driveway on Vista Court on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. An evacuation warning for the neighborhood was lifted on Sunday, Jan. 15. ldickinson@thetribunenews.com

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Update, 5 p.m.

Multiple roads have continued to see flooding concerns and storm impacts late into Sunday afternoon.

The Marsh Street Bridge and Marsh Street ramps at Highway 101 closed at 5 p.m. due to rising water concerns.

Water levels at the San Luis Obispo Creek, Marsh Street Bridge location were reported to be at 162.40 feet as of 4:35 p.m. according to the San Luis Obispo County Public Works Department.

The “full storm flow stage,” where personnel are notified of flooding is at 166 feet.

In addition, another rock slide was reported along the Highway 1 closure. Caltrans and additional contracted crews will help clear the road with weather expected to clear sometime Wednesday.

New slide area on Highway 1 in Monterey County just south of Mill Creek, Jan. 15, 2023.
New slide area on Highway 1 in Monterey County just south of Mill Creek, Jan. 15, 2023. Caltrans Courtesy

Update, 3 p.m.

On Sunday, the San Luis Obispo Office of Emergency Services lifted its evacuation warning for residents of the Montana Way neighborhoods, El Dorado Street and Marianela Lane in Los Osos.

“Because the threat of heavy rain has passed, the evacuation warning has been lifted,” the agency said in a news release.

However, an evacuation order was still in place Sunday for coastal areas near the Oceano Dunes.

On Saturday, the county issued an evacuation warning for Oceano residents living near the Arroyo Grande Creek Levee and Oceano Lagoon.

“Residents should prepare their families and pets,” the county Emergency Services Office said. “Pack essential items such as clothes and medication for a few days.”

Stormy skies are seen over the beach at Port San Luis in Avila Beach on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023.
Stormy skies are seen over the beach at Port San Luis in Avila Beach on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. Chloe Jones cjones@thetribunenews.com

Surf warning, wind advisories and beach closures

Original story:

The National Weather Service issued a high surf warning and two wind advisories for parts of San Luis Obispo on Sunday.

The agency issued its first wind advisory for beaches in San Luis Obispo County, Santa Barbara County and inland locations including the southern Salinas Valley. It was expected to last until 2 a.m. Monday.

The second wind advisory, which impacts Central Coast mountain areas, was expected to last until 7 p.m. Monday.

A high surf advisory was in place until 10 p.m. Tuesday for beaches in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties, the Weather Service said.

On Sunday, three sections of City Beach in Morro Bay were closed due to water quality issues.

About 9,900 gallons of sewage were released into Morro Creek on Jan. 9, while around 300,000 gallons of treated wastewater spilled into the Salinas River the same day.

A total of 17 beach locations in San Luis Obispo County were under a rain advisory on Sunday, according to the San Luis Obispo County Department of Public Health.

“Elevated levels of bacteria are expected due to storm water runoff” in those spots, the agency said.

These locations include Olde Port Beach in Avila Beach, Cayucos Beach, Hearst Memorial State Beach near San Simeon and areas of Morro Bay, Oceano, Pismo Beach and Shell Beach.

The Salinas River was wide and muddy as it flowed just south of the Niblick Road Bridge on Jan. 9, 2023 as another atmospheric river storm hit the coast. Paso Robles ordered evacuations on multiple streets along the east side of the river as water levels rose.
The Salinas River was wide and muddy as it flowed just south of the Niblick Road Bridge on Jan. 9, 2023 as another atmospheric river storm hit the coast. Paso Robles ordered evacuations on multiple streets along the east side of the river as water levels rose. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com

This story was originally published January 15, 2023 at 2:02 PM.

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