Santa Barbara County officials presented an update to the Board of Supervisors Sept. 1 on preparations for the upcoming winter season and potential impacts associated with El Niño.
Seasonal outlooks indicate above-normal temperatures this fall and an increased probability of above-normal precipitation from October 2026 through April 2027, raising the potential for flooding and other storm-related impacts throughout the region, the county said.
In response, the county said it is taking steps now to prepare for potential flooding, debris flows, transportation impacts, and coastal storm conditions.
Countywide Readiness Efforts
To get ahead of winter weather, county departments and partner agencies are working together.
Public Works, Fire, Sheriff, Community Services, and Emergency Management teams are coordinating regularly with organizations like FEMA, the National Weather Service, state emergency officials, water resource agencies, and the Army Corps of Engineers.
Cities and nonprofits are also involved, ensuring all parts of the community are connected and ready.
Much of the work happening now is behind the scenes but critical: updating emergency operations systems; fine-tuning damage assessment tools; conducting trainings and tabletop exercises; and strengthening agreements that allow flood‑fighting materials to be positioned early, officials said.
Teams are also reviewing wildfire burn areas to understand where debris flows could occur and what intensity of rain might trigger evacuation thresholds.
Join a Community Meeting
Santa Barbara County will host a virtual El Niño Community Meeting, 5:30-7 p.m. Oct. 1 to help residents get ready for the upcoming storm season.
The meeting will cover this year’s weather outlook; the work completed on local creeks and roads to prepare; and important information related to storm and flood emergencies.
Community members are urged to attend and stay informed. The virtual community meeting provides closed captioning in multiple languages and simultaneous interpretation in Spanish.
Register here.
Field Operations Across the County
- County Fire crews have increased water rescue training and are positioning specialized equipment like rescue boats, helicopters and sandbags at key locations.
- County Flood Control has major projects underway to improve basins and channels while preparing crews for storm response, debris basin management, levee patrols, and sandbag distribution.
- County Transportation teams are inspecting and clearing culverts, securing emergency contracts, and are ready to assess road conditions and notify the public of any closures.
- Parks and Community Services are clearing culverts, reinforcing beach berms, preparing trails for potential closure, and ensuring shelter beds are available if needed.
- Resources for Season Ahead — Residents can access real‑time rainfall and stream‑gauge data, flood readiness guides, and storm season tips on the county’s Storm Preparation website.
More emergency preparedness information and registration for ReadySBC Alerts can be found at ReadySBC.org.