Live updates: Storm brings heavy rain, strong winds to SLO County; 2 injured in morning crash
A winter storm brought heavy rain and strong winds to San Luis Obispo County on Thursday, with more on the way throughout the day and into Friday.
The system was expected to bring an inch or rain or more to the Central Coast as in moved through region.
The National Weather Service issued a wind advisory for parts of San Luis Obispo County from 10 a.m. Thursday to 4 a.m. Friday.
Winds from 15 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph could “blow around unsecured objects,” loosen tree limbs and cause power outages, the Weather Service warned.
The warning applied to local beaches, the Cuyama Valley and areas surrounding and including Lake Nacimiento, Creston, Avila Beach, Templeton, Arroyo Grande, San Miguel, San Luis Obispo, Shandon, the Carrizo Plain, Lopez Lake, Atascadero, Paso Robles, Morro Bay, Nipomo, Pismo Beach, Cambria and parts of Santa Barbara County.
“Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Use extra caution,” the Weather Service said.
Highway 1 closed due to slide
Update, 9:50 p.m.:
A slide has closed Highway 1 from the San Luis Obispo County line north into Monterey County on Thursday evening.
According to Caltrans, the highway was closed between Ragged Point in northern San Luis Obispo County and Gorda in southern Monterey County.
The agency said the closure was due to a “small slide covering the northbound lane on a blind curve.”
Car stuck in creek near Lake Nacimiento
Update, 1:15 p.m.:
Emergency officials responded to a report of a car stuck in a creek near Lake Nacimiento on Thursday afternoon.
The car was reportedly stuck in the upper crossing used to access residences on the southwest side of Lake Nacimiento, according to discussion on the emergency scanner at about 12:45 p.m.
As of 1:10 p.m., everyone was safely out of the vehicle and the rescue mission was canceled, according to discussion on the emergency scanner.
Warming Centers to open in SLO County
Update, 12:30 p.m.:
Three warming centers will open on Thursday night, according to the SLO County Homeless Services Division.
Paso Cares will open its warming center at 5:30 p.m. at 1301 Oak St. The facility will offer warm meals and dry clothing.
Call 805-236-1007 to volunteer or donate supplies.
The Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo’s Homeless Shelter will open its warming center from 7 p.m. Thursday to 8 a.m. Friday at 40 Prado Road in San Luis Obispo.
The center will offer a warm meal, dry clothing, limited room for vaccinated pets and hot showers. Check-in lasts from 7 to 9 p.m.
Call 805-544-4004 x2 to donate.
Finally, the Five Cities Homeless Coalition warming center will be open from 5:30 p.m. on Thursday to 6 a.m. on Friday at 1023 East Grand Ave. in Arroyo Grande.
A meal will be offered from from 5:30 to 7 p.m. along with dry clothing and limited room for vaccinated pets.
“To volunteer or donate needed supplies, please reach out to Stephanie LeBlanc at stephanie.leblanc@5chc.org or call 805-550-8701,” the SLO County Homeless Services Division’s Facebook post said.
Morning crash caused major injuries
Original story:
On Thursday morning, two drivers suffered major injuries in a head-on car crash near the base of Cuesta Grade during the rain storm.
The crash spilled diesel fuel in the road and temporarily blocked the southbound lanes of Highway 101 — halting traffic, the California Highway Patrol said.
The drivers were sent to the Adventist Health Sierra Vista hospital for treatment.
By 11:30 a.m., the southbound lanes of the highway had opened and traffic was flowing freely.
How much rain could SLO County get?
The rainstorm will last through about Friday at 4 a.m. in San Luis Obispo, dropping up to an inch of rain on the city, the National Weather Service said.
Meanwhile, the storm will drop up to a half inch of rain on Paso Robles before 4 a.m. on Friday. The city could receive another tenth of an inch of rain before 10 a.m. when the sun should break through the clouds, the Weather Service said.
Morro Bay can expect about an inch of rain to fall until Friday at 10 a.m.
After the storm moves through, San Luis Obispo County can expect a sunny weekend, with the next chance of rain returning to the forecast on Tuesday and Wednesday, the Weather Service said.
This story was originally published February 6, 2025 at 12:29 PM.
