Storm slams SLO County with heavy rain, flooding, high winds Christmas Eve
A powerful atmospheric river storm hit San Luis Obispo County overnight, bringing heavy rain, high winds and the chance for thunderstorms and flooding through Christmas Day.
As of 5 p.m. Wednesday, more than 2 inches of rain had fallen in many parts of the county, including 3.15 at Camp San Luis Obispo, 2.94 inches in Santa Margarita, 2.25 in Atascadero and 2.39 at Lopez Dam, according to county Public Works.
Multiple areas lost power Wednesday morning, though no significant damage was reported and power outages were minor, SLO County’s Office of Emergency Services posted on X. Thousands were without power as the day went on.
Most of the county was under a flood advisory until noon, according to the Office of Emergency Services, and flooding had already been reported in some locations, including on Highway 166, 11 miles easy of Highway 101, and at the Monterey Street off-ramp from southbound 101 in San Luis Obispo.
The first storm was on its way out of the area Wednesday night, but another storm was expected to move in later in the evening into Christmas Day, according to the National Weather Service.
SLO County forecast calls for heavy rain
Rain and wind lasted all day Wednesday and was expected to continue through Christmas Day, according to the forecast.
Showers were expected to continue Friday and possibly Saturday before sunny conditions return to SLO County on Sunday, the National Weather Service said.
In total, the storm was projected to bring around 2 to 4 inches of rain in coastal valleys, with as much as 7 inches of rain in more mountainous parts of SLO County, according to the National Weather Service’s forecast discussion.
“Significant flooding issues are likely along with the potential for strong thunderstorms,” the weather agency said.
A flood watch and high wind warning also went into effect on Tuesday, with the risk of mudslides and river overflows.
Finally, there’s a chance of “weak, short-lived, tornadoes or waterspouts” while the storm is underway on Christmas Day, according to the agency’s forecast discussion.
Flood watch, high wind warning issued in SLO County
The National Weather Service issued a flood watch in effect from Tuesday afternoon through 10 p.m. Thursday, for all parts of the county.
“Significant and widespread flooding caused by excessive rainfall will be likely, with potential debris flow impacts across recent burn scars,” the Weather Service warned.
There’s also risks of major rock and mudslides and a rapid rise of rivers, streams and creeks during downpours, according to the flood watch.
The agency also issued a high wind warning for all of SLO County that went into place at noon on Tuesday through 3 p.m. on Thursday.
Winds were expected to peak by Wednesday with “damaging gusts” up to 70 mph and 80 mph in the mountains and foothills, according to the wind warning.
“Widespread downed trees and power lines likely, as well as the potential for power outages and property damage,” the National Weather Service said.
The agency warned that holiday travel will be difficult and mountain roads will be particularly dangerous during the storm.
Meteorologist John Lindsey said “winds were howling” in SLO County overnight, with one spot seeing gusts up to about 70 mph.
According to Lindsey, the windiest location in SLO County was Tassajera Peak, where the PG&E TV Towers 2 anemometer recorded southerly wind gust of between 60 and 70 mph from 1 a.m. to 3 a.m.
“Many other weather stations across the Central Coast reported wind gusts in the 50 to 60 mph range,” Lindsey wrote in a post on X.
Thousands lost power in and around Los Osos
Nearly 7,000 customers lost power in Los Osos, Montaña de Oro State Park and Morro Bay on Wednesday afternoon, initially with no sign of when it would return, according to PG&E’s outage map.
The outage was reported to PG&E at 12:50 p.m., affecting 6,754 customers at the time, according to the map.
A power pole and lines were downed at Turri Road and South Bay Boulevard in Los Osos at 2:48 p.m., according to the Caltrans Quickmap.
By 4:50 p.m., 6,698 customers were without power with an estimated restoration time of 6:45 p.m..
“Crews are currently responding to emergencies due to storm damage,” the PG&E outage map page said. “Once the extreme weather has passed, crews will begin repairs.”
There had been several outages earlier in the day throughout SLO County, leaving hundreds in Cambria, San Luis Obispo, Atascadero and near Cayucos without power. All were resolved by late afternoon.
Avoid ocean water during, after storm, SLO County warns
The SLO County Public Health Department advised the public to avoid ocean water contact during and at least three days following significant rainstorms.
“Rainstorm runoff can transport high levels of bacteria, viruses and protozoa from the watershed and urban areas to the ocean,” a release said Wednesday. “Surfers, swimmers and others are advised to avoid contact with ocean water during this period.”
For more information about beach water quality, visit SurfSafeSLO, or call the Ocean Water Monitoring Program Telephone Hotline at 805-788-3411.
Crashes, road hazards reported throughout SLO County
Multiple car crash and roadway hazards were reported Wednesday during the storm.
On Highway 46 East, a Kia and a truck collided near Shandon, and on Highway 101, a vehicle hit the center divider in Templeton, according to Pulse Point. A white sedan spun out on Highway 1 near Cuesta College and hit the hillside, according to the California Highway Patrol Traffic Incident Page.
Around 10:30 a.m., an SUV reportedly lost control and hit the center divider guardrail on Highway 101 on the Cuesta Grade just north of Highway 58.
Two other cars collided on the top of the Grade going south on Highway 101 at Tassajara Creek Road around 11 a.m.
At around 6 a.m., a mudslide was reported and cleared from the Highway 101 northbound off-ramp at California Boulevard in SLO, according to the California Highway Patrol.
SLO street closed after trench caved in
The 1400 block of Palm Street between California Boulevard and the train tracks in San Luis Obispo was closed to vehicle traffic on Wednesday, the San Luis Obispo Police Department posted on Facebook.
The sides of a trench where underground work was being done on the road caved in due to the rain, police said.
As of 3:15 p.m., there was no projected reopening time as rain may continue to impact the trench, police said.
Highway 1 closed at slide
Highway 1 remained fully closed Wednesday due to work at Regent’s Slide, but the site was holding up well so far.
Road paving was completed before this week’s rain, according to Caltrans.
Crews will install safety barriers and rock fencing once weather allows.
How to prepare for atmospheric river storm
Local officials called on SLO County residents to take precautions ahead of the atmospheric river storm.
The city of Paso Robles urged community members to review disaster plans and prepare supply kits, as well as avoid any unnecessary travel.
“Allow extra travel time,” the city said in a news release. “Never drive through flooded roads, watch for debris and poor visibility, delay travel if unsafe.”
Residents should prep their homes for the storm by clearing gutters and storm drains, securing outdoor items and charging batteries and phones, the city said.
Paso Robles also has sand available at the City Streets Yard, 1220 Paso Robles St., it said in a Monday news release.
Sandbags help “form a temporary sturdy barrier to divert water away from vulnerable areas,” the SLO County Office of Emergency Services said in a social media post.
PG&E advised Californians to never touch downed wires and to use generators safely during the storm, it said in a news release.
The utility company also said people should use flashlights instead of candles to reduce the risk of fires.
This story was originally published December 24, 2025 at 9:01 AM.
