The National Weather Service is forecasting the potential for a major storm for Santa Barbara County, expected to arrive as soon as Tuesday night, Feb. 11.
Flooding in low-lying areas and hazardous road conditions are expected countywide. The storm also poses a potential risk for debris flows and significant flooding to residents and businesses within and surrounding the Lake Fire burn scar, the county warns.
Evacuations are not being issued at this time, the county said. However, if you live in or near the Lake Fire Burn Area and are concerned that this new storm may cause unsafe conditions to your local roads and home, leave the area before rain starts.
Do not wait for an official evacuation notification to leave, the county advises.
Public safety officials are keeping a close eye on the incoming storm and working with the National Weather Service. Officials will further assess if protective actions, such as an evacuation warning, evacuation order, or shelter in place are necessary.
More information is available at www.ReadySBC.org.
Resources to help community members prepare for the storm:
• Detailed National Weather Service forecasts: https://www.weather.gov/lox/.
• Storm readiness tips: http://www.readysbc.org/StormReadiness.
• For status of highways: https://roads.dot.ca.gov/roadscell.php.
• For status of County roadways: https://www.countyofsb.org/2116/Road-Closures.
• For countywide sandbag filling locations: https://www.countyofsb.org/2219/Sandbags.
• Sign up for ReadySBC Emergency Alerts: https://member.everbridge.net/index/892807736723794#/signup.
Sandbags Available for Goleta Residents
For Goleta residents, the city offers self-service sandbag stations at the following locations:
• Fire Station 11, 6901 Frey Way and Storke Road just south of Santa Felicia, across from the main post office.
• Fire Station 14, 320 Los Carneros Road, next to the Stow House Museum lot.
Things to know about sandbag pick up:
• Sand and bags are available on a first-come-first-served basis.
• Bring a shovel to fill the bags.
• Pick up is open during daylight hours, seven days/week.
• 20 bag limit (additional bags can be purchased at home improvement stores).
• Bags are for residents.
• It is easiest to fill the bags with two people — one to hold the bag and the other to shovel the sand.
For disposal of old polypropylene sandbags:
• Residents may displace old sand in planters or on lawns and dispose of bags in their trash containers.
• Residents may also bring their old, filled bags to Public Works Corporate Yard, 6735 Hollister Ave. (behind the Deckers building) for disposal.