Evacuation warnings issued across SLO County as powerful storm approaches
A flurry of evacuation warnings went out across San Luis Obispo County on Monday evening as the latest atmospheric river storm approached the Central Coast.
Residents in areas of Paso Robles, Morro Bay, Cayucos, Arroyo Grande, Grover Beach and Oceano have been put on alert ahead of the rains and high winds expected to hit later tonight.
Click here to see all the detailed maps of the evacuation areas.
Spilling Whale Rock reservoir spurs evacuation warning
The county issued an evacuation warning in Cayucos due the combination of water spilling from Whale Rock Reservoir and heavy rains expected tonight and tomorrow.
The warning applies to residents on 24th Street between Cass Avenue and Morro Strand State Beach.
Salinas River expected to overflow in Paso Robles
The National Weather Service predicts the Salinas River will flood late Tuesday or early Wednesday, leading to evacuation warnings for parts of Paso Robles, according to a news release from the city.
A local declaration of emergency was established by the city and remains in effect, the release said.
Residents living in the following areas of Paso Robles near the Salinas River are under an evacuation warning:
- 70-84 Navajo Ave.
- 406 and 390 Paso Robles St.
- 3700 and 3730 Spring St.
- 1509-1911 North River Road
An evacuation shelter will be established if an evacuation order is established, the release said.
Unhoused residents can visit a warming center at Paso Nazarene Church at 530 12th St. The warming center will be open Monday and Tuesday at 6:00 p.m., where dinner will be served, the release said.
Residents with questions about the evacuation warning can call 805-227-7236.
Tally Ho Creek area, spots in Grover Beach under evacuation warning
In a flashback to last week, residents living near the Tally Ho Creek area of Arroyo Grande were once again warned to be prepared to evacuate.
Residents along Tally Ho Creek from Corbett Canyon Road to James Way are under evacuation warning from 3 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday, the city said in a news release.
The 5 Cities Homeless Coalition warming shelter will be open Monday evening at the South County Regional Center at 800 West Branch in Arroyo Grande.
Call 805-473-5112 with questions.
The city of Grover Beach issued an evacuation warning for Nacimiento Avenue, Owens Court and Mono Court due to potential flooding concerns on Tuesday.
Oceano residents under evacuation warning
Also in the South County, an evacuation warning was issued for residents living near the Arroyo Grande Creek levee and Oceano Lagoon, according to a news release from Office of Emergency Services.
The warning includes residents living in the following areas:
- South of the Arroyo Grande Creek levee: All areas south of the Arroyo Grande Creek Channel for 1 mile and west of Highway 1
- North of the Arroyo Grande Creek levee: All areas north of the Arroyo Grande Creek Channel, south of Beach Street and north of the Arroyo Grande Creek Channel west of 19th Street, south of Ocean Street, south of Pier Avenue and west of Highway 1
- Oceano Lagoon: South of Pier Avenue to the ocean; north and east of Strand Way and River Avenue; east to the railroad tracks, along the tracks, back up to Pier Avenue.
If an evacuation order is issued, officials will notify residents using methods such as the wireless emergency alerts, the reverse telephone notification system and social media.
An American Red Cross shelter will open to evacuees at 8 p.m. at the SLO Vets Hall at 801 Grand Ave. in San Luis Obispo. Pets are welcome.
Morro Bay warns atmospheric river could lead to evacuations, road closures
In Morro Bay, the city said warned about the added component of heavy gusts of wind, something not seen in last week’s storm, according to a news release.
Flooding is anticipated and public works officials will be monitoring water levels and debris in Morro Creek.
Residents and motorists are advised to pay attention to road closures and avoid unnecessary travel during the storm.
Current road closures in Morro Bay include:
- Highway 1 from Morro Bay Boulevard to San Jacinto Street
- South Bay Boulevard from Quintana Road to Santa Ysabel Avenue
- Quintana Road from South Bay Boulevard to San Bernardo Creek Road/Highway 1
- Main Street from southbound Highway 1 on- and off-ramps north to Errol Street (including Radcliffe Avenue)
- State Park Road throughout Morro Bay State Park
Caltrans will decide Tuesday whether Highway 1 needs to close due to the storm, the release said.
The following areas will be under evacuation warnings beginning at midnight Tuesday:
- Silver City Mobile Home Park
- Silver City West Mobile Home Park
- Main Street between Errol and Radcliff, including Preston Lane and Little Morro Creek Road
Residents needing shelter can call the 24/7 non-emergency dispatch line at 805-781-7312.
Cambria residents advised to pay attention to evacuation warnings
The Cambria Community Services District warned that similar flooding and road closures as seen last week should be expected Tuesday as the next atmospheric river hits the North Coast.
During the March 9 storm, Santa Rosa Creek rose over 5 feet in 5 hours, flooding areas of the West Village, Oak Terrace Mobile Home Park and parts of the East Village, the CCSD news release said.
“These high winds stress trees and can cause trees, limbs and other debris to fall without warning,” according to the news release. “The entire North Coast is vulnerable, and the winds could further weaken trees or damage other infrastructure.”
Residents of the low-lying areas of Cambria may be subject to evacuation orders, and the current groundwater saturation leaves Cambria vulnerable to flash flooding, the release said.
This story was originally published March 13, 2023 at 6:32 PM.
