Santa Barbara County could get 2 inches of rain in the coastal regions and up to 5 inches in the mountains this week.
A flood watch will remain in effect until 5 p.m. on Wednesday as the National Weather Service keeps an eye on this week’s storm.
“Nothing is imminent at this time, but there’s a possibility of extensive street flooding, and flooding of creeks and streams, smaller drainages, low lying areas, and some smaller rivers,” Carol Smith with the National Weather Service told Noozhawk.
Smith said there is a higher possibility for infrastructure damage because the earth is still saturated from previous storms.
According to the county’s hydrology website, in the 24 hours ending at 10 p.m. Tuesday, rainfall totals were 1.16 inches in Santa Barbara, 1.93 inches at the Goleta Fire Station, 1.09 inches in Carpinteria, 1.30 inches in Montecito, 0.90 inches in Buellton, 1.11 inches in Los Alamos, 1.18 inches in Lompoc, 1.17 inches in Orcutt, and 0.89 inches in Santa Maria.
In the past 30 days, the San Marcos Pass area has received nearly 22 inches of rain.
Other South Coast communities have also been soaked in winter storms during that period: Santa Barbara has had more than 11.5 inches of rain, Goleta has had just over 11 inches, and Carpinteria has received 10.8 inches.
A high wind advisory was in effect until 11 p.m. Tuesday and a high surf advisory was in effect for the South Coast on Wednesday.
The winds downed trees and power lines across the county Tuesday morning, causing power outages and road closures.
Santa Barbara City College lost power when a downed tree took out a power line near the college’s main campus.
“The winds could be damaging,” Smith said. “Large objects could be blown down trees, power lines. Power outages are quite possible.”
Smith said winds in the Cuyama area could reach up to 65 miles per hour and up to 55 mph in the Santa Ynez mountains.
In the Santa Barbara backcountry mountains, there is a winter storm warning with a possibility of snow down to 3,000 feet elevations.
A shelter-in-place order was issued for residents along Jalama Road south of Lompoc due to damage to the roadway caused by the storm.
“The road is impassable,” according to a tweet by the county Public Works Department. “Residents are advised to not travel through this area.”
Check back with Noozhawk for updates to this story and continued storm coverage.
Warming centers are open Tuesday, March 21 and Wednesday, March 22 from 6pm to 6am at the following locations:
Lompoc
Peace Lutheran Church, 1000 West Ocean Ave.
Santa Maria
Tuesday: Grogan Center, 1155 West Rancho Verde
Wednesday: Atkinson Center, 1000 North Railroad Ave.
Santa Barbara
1st Presbyterian Church, 21 East Constance Ave.
Vans will be shuttling individuals between 5:00 and 5:30
from the Unitarian Society at 1535 Santa Barabara St. to 1st Presbyterian Church.
Carpinteria
Carpinteria Community Church , 1111 Vallecito Rd.
Stay Up to Date on Activations:
Warming Center Hotline: 805-324-2372
Email: FWC@goodsamaritanshelter.org
FaceBook: facebook.com/FreedomWarmingCenter
Click here for the latest Santa Barbara weather forecast.
Click here for the latest Santa Ynez Valley weather forecast.