Santa Barbara County ordered evacuations Monday for parts of the Alisal Fire burn area ahead of a strong storm that was soaking the region overnight.
County Executive Officer Mona Miyasato signed a proclamation of local emergency Monday, which helps the county deploy resources to respond to the storm and facilitates state and federal assistance for emergency response.
The evacuation order, which went into effect at noon, affects residents living west of Las Flores Canyon, east of Mariposa Reina, and south of West Camino Cielo down to the ocean. Refugio Road has been closed with access for residents only, according to Santa Barbara County officials.
More information about the evacuation order is available on the county emergency preparedness website at readysbc.org.
The county issued an evacuation warning for the area on Sunday, and said at the time that it expected orders would become necessary for this storm, which the National Weather Service calls the strongest storm of the season.
The storm is moving slowly down the coast, so the NWS has a big window for when the heaviest rain will hit Santa Barbara County: 6 p.m. Monday to noon Tuesday.
For the Alisal Fire burn area, that window is more likely 10 p.m. to 10 a.m., meteorologist Ryan Kittell said Monday afternoon.
The rain forecast for the burn area specifically is between 2.5 inches near the coast to 5 inches in the foothills and mountains, he said.
Santa Barbara County overall is expected to get 2-3 inches of rain in coastal areas and 4-6 inches of rain in foothill and mountain areas, with the possibility of isolated areas that get more.
As of midnight, Alisal Reservoir in the Santa Ynez Valley was the county’s wettest location with 4.04 inches, according to the county Flood Control District.
Other significant totals included 3.71 inches at Rancho San Julian, 3.29 inches on San Marcos Pass, 3.04 inches at the top of Tecolote Canyon west of Goleta, and 2.95 inches at Refugio Pass .
Most other areas had recorded an inch or more of rain, while Cuyama, in the county’s northeast corner, had received just 0.11 inches.
The National Weather Service issued a Flash Flood Watch that will be in effect from 6 p.m. Monday to noon on Tuesday due to the storm, which could drop enough rain to trigger flooding and debris flows in and near recent wildfire burn areas including the Gaviota Coast burned in the Alisal Fire.
The rainfall rate range of concern for the Alisal Fire burn area is 0.7-inch per hour to 1-inch per hour, he said.
Santa Barbara County officials have said they may issue a shelter-in-place order if a Flash Flood Warning is released by the NWS. A shelter-in-place order indicates people should stay inside and prepare to “self-sustain until further notice.”
A wind advisory is in effect through 11 a.m. Tuesday, and a high surf advisory was in effect from 4 a.m. Tuesday to 2 p.m. Wednesday.
Evacuations were previously ordered in this area for an Oct. 25 storm. There were concerns the rain could cause post-fire flooding and debris flows in the Alisal Fire burn area, but no major damage was reported during that storm.
Additional information from Santa Barbara County for people affected by Monday’s evacuation order:
» An Evacuation Center opened at 6 p.m. Monday at the SBCC Wake Center, 300 N. Turnpike Road. For Evacuation Center information, contact the American Red Cross at 805.901.0845.
» Do not attempt to drive while it is dark or raining as roads may be damaged and your car may be swept away by moving water or debris.
» Strong winds are also expected which can cause flying debris in roadways and power outages.
» Please be prepared to sustain yourself and your household for multiple days if you choose not to evacuate, as you may not be able to leave the area and emergency responders may not be able to access your property in the event of road damage or a debris flow.
» For animal evacuation information, call Santa Barbara County Animal Services at 805.681.4332 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or call the after-hours line at 805.683.2724.
— Noozhawk managing editor Giana Magnoli can be reached at gmagnoli@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.
