Big waves spur ocean rescues, closures along Santa Barbara County coastline

High tides and big waves flooded Santa Barbara County’s coastline on Thursday, and caused multiple calls for ocean rescues for surfers and others in the water.

Parts of the county have high surf and coastal flood advisories in effect until 10 p.m. Sunday, and the National Weather Services warned there’s an increased risk of ocean drowning, and moderate coastal flooding is expected.

On Thursday morning, county fire crews rescued two surfers off of Del Playa Drive in Isla Vista. The surfers were not injured but suffered from exhaustion due to the high surf, according to Santa Barbara County Fire.

Farther up the coast, County Fire responded to ocean rescues off Hollister Ranch around 1:30 p.m. for a capsized 18-foot boat, and jet ski in distress. Passengers of both vessels were able to return to shore without injuries.

Santa Barbara Harbor has closed off low-lying parking lots that usually experience flooding during high tide, according to Capt. Nathan Alldredge, acting harbor operations manager.

The harbor breakwater was closed off to pedestrians, Alldredge said, noting that waves breaking over the structure could be dangerous.

“Our priority is public safety,” he said.

Alldredge also told Noozhawk that they are experiencing “minor coastal flooding in all the usual areas.”

The sand berm in front of the Santa Barbara Yacht Club and the boat storage yard has largely eroded, but no significant damage has been reported, Alldredge said.

“This is something similar to what we saw in January with similar conditions,” Alldredge said. “But so far, it’s not as big as it was then.”

State beaches and parks in the county had experienced flooding and damage from the high tide as of Thursday afternoon, but details were not available, said State Parks Channel Coast District spokesperson Dena Bellman.

Bellam told Noozhawk that State Parks has closed and evacuated areas of Carpinteria State Beach near the ocean as well as the Emma Wood State Beach campground in Ventura.

Cal Fire San Luis Obispo has been helping State Parks evacuate campers from flooded areas at the Oceano Dunes. Five people were rescued by fire personnel and transported to local hospitals from flooding-related injuries, according to Cal Fire SLO.

High surf, coastal flooding advisories and rain in the forecast

During the high surf and coastal flooding advisories, which are in effect through 10 p.m. Saturday for parts of Santa Barbara County, flooding is expected along the time of high tides over low-lying coastal areas such as walkways, beaches, and parking lots, according to the National Weather Service.

However, significant damage to roads and structures is not expected, according to the NWS.

This story was originally published December 29, 2023 at 4:17 PM with the headline "Big waves spur ocean rescues, closures along Santa Barbara County coastline."