A bluff collapsed at an Isla Vista apartment building Tuesday morning, as seen from a neighboring property on Del Playa Drive.
A bluff collapsed at an Isla Vista apartment building Tuesday morning, as seen from a neighboring property on Del Playa Drive. Credit: Dennis Danielsson photo

An Isla Vista apartment building’s blufftop patio collapsed Tuesday morning following a long weekend of rain in Santa Barbara County.

No residents were injured and no one was on the balcony when it collapsed.

Four housing units with more than 45 people were evacuated, Isla Vista Foot Patrol Lt. Garrett TeSlaa told Noozhawk. The building is on the 6700 block of Del Playa Drive.

The collapse was reported around 9:51 a.m. Tuesday when a resident was standing on a balcony above the collapsed one, looked down, and saw that it was eroding off the bluff, according to TeSlaa.

Later that day, a county building inspector determined residents could return to their homes, County Fire Capt. Scott Safechuck said.

Another fence was installed to restrict access to the bluff patio, he added.

TeSlaa said that the rain and parties over the weekend celebrating the end of midterms likely contributed to the the balcony’s collapse.

A resident of the building who asked to remain anonymous told Noozhawk that they haven’t thrown any parties on their balcony.

No residents were injured and no one was on the balcony when it collapsed. Credit: Rebecca Caraway / Noozhawk photo

That side of Del Playa Drive is located along the bluffs, and there have been several collapses and fatal falls onto the beach below over the years.

The balcony toppled on the property next to where SBCC student Benny Schurmer fell from the bluffs and died last year. His death reignited concerns about Isla Vista bluff safety.

In November, the county Board of Supervisors voted to raise fence height requirements in Isla Vista.

TeSlaa told Noozhawk that this incident is a reminder of why local law enforcement and county officials are emphasizing bluff safety with residents.

Below is a drone shot of the bluff erosion from the County Fire Department.

Bluff Erosion, Tree Falls Remain Safety Concerns After Storm

The county plans helicopter flyovers, drone monitoring and other checks to bluff areas, including in Isla Vista, since they are more vulnerable to erosion after heavy rains.

Below is County Fire video of staff preparing a drone flight to assess bluff erosion.

Earlier Tuesday morning, county Fire Chief Mark Hartwig said people should assume “right now there’s an imminent threat until proven otherwise” in terms of bluff collapse and falling trees due to the storm impacts.

It’s unsafe to walk around trees and along blufftops until they’re inspected, which is underway, he said during a report on the storm impacts.

Santa Barbara’s Shoreline Park also had a section of cliff collapse, and city officials warned people to be careful on blufftops and while on the beach below bluffs.

The city of Goleta closed the Ellwood Mesa Open Space until it finishes safety assessments, including of the eucalyptus grove. It also temporarily closed the butterfly grove parking lot on Hollister Avenue across from Ellwood School.

The city of Santa Maria temporarily closed Preisker Park for tree removal and safety inspection. A large eucalyptus tree fell onto the park roadway during the storm, city spokesman Mark van de Kamp said.

There are still some road closures in effect countywide due to storm-related tree falls, mudslides and flooding.

A Flood Watch was in effect through 4 p.m. Tuesday since there is the chance of more rain. That could cause more flooding impacts since the ground is so saturated, according to the National Weather Service.

However, on Tuesday, local emergency response officials had mostly shifted their focus to damage assessments and repairs.

Santa Barbara County proclaimed a local emergency Sunday night, and Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency for Santa Barbara and several other California counties because of the storm impacts.

Noozhawk Executive Editor Giana Magnoli contributed reporting to this report.

County Fire crews evacuated an apartment building on Del Playa Drive Tuesday morning after part of the balcony collapsed off the bluff.
County Fire crews evacuated an apartment building on Del Playa Drive Tuesday morning after part of the balcony collapsed off the bluff. Credit: Santa Barbara County Fire photo

— Noozhawk staff writer Rebecca Caraway can be reached at rcaraway@noozhawk.com.