High tides and big waves flooded Santa Barbara County’s coastline on Thursday, and caused multiple calls for ocean rescues for surfers and others in the water.
Parts of the county have high surf and coastal flood advisories in effect until 10 p.m. Sunday, and the National Weather Services warned there’s an increased risk of ocean drowning, and moderate coastal flooding is expected.
On Thursday morning, county fire crews rescued two surfers off of Del Playa Drive in Isla Vista. The surfers were not injured, but suffered from exhaustion due to the high surf, according to Santa Barbara County Fire.
Farther up the coast, County Fire responded to ocean rescues off Hollister Ranch around 1:30 p.m. for a capsized 18-foot boat, and jet ski in distress. Passengers of both vessels were able to return to shore without injuries.
Santa Barbara Harbor has closed off low-lying parking lots that usually experience flooding during high tide, according to Capt. Nathan Alldredge, acting harbor operations manager.
The harbor breakwater was closed off to pedestrians, Alldredge said, noting that waves breaking over the structure could be dangerous.
“Our priority is public safety,” he said.
Alldredge also told Noozhawk that they are experiencing “minor coastal flooding in all the usual areas.”
The sand berm in front of the Santa Barbara Yacht Club and the boat storage yard has largely eroded, but no significant damage has been reported, Alldredge said.
“This is something similar to what we saw in January with similar conditions,” Alldredge said. “But so far, it’s not as big as it was then.”
State beaches and parks in the county had experienced flooding and damage from the high tide as of Thursday afternoon, but details were not available, said State Parks Channel Coast District spokesperson Dena Bellman.
Bellam told Noozhawk that State Parks has closed and evacuated areas of Carpinteria State Beach near the ocean as well as the Emma Wood State Beach campground in Ventura.
CalFire San Luis Obispo has been helping State Parks evacuate campers from flooded areas at the Oceano Dunes. Five people were rescued by fire personnel and transported to local hospitals from flooding-related injuries, according to CalFire SLO.
High Surf, Coastal Flooding Advisories and Rain in the Forecast
During the high surf and coastal flooding advisories, which are in effect through 10 p.m. Saturday for parts of Santa barbara County, flooding is expected along the time of high tides over low lying coastal areas such as walkways, beaches, and parking lots, according to the National Weather Service.
However, significant damage to roads and structures is not expected, according to the NWS.
The high surf does mean an increased risk of ocean drowning. The NWS advisory warns that rip currents can pull swimmers and surfers out to sea, and large breaking waves can wash people off beaches and rocks and capsize small boats.
The high tide times for Santa Barbara in the next few days are: 11:57 p.m. Thursday; 10:05 a.m. Friday; 12:38 a.m. Saturday and 10:41 a.m. Saturday, according to the NWS.
In Santa Barbara and Goleta, rain is expected to begin Friday after 4 p.m. but is mainly expected after 10 p.m. with 1-2 inches of rain possible.
Rainfall is expected to continue through Saturday with a tenth to a quarter inch of rain possible.
Sunday has a 30% chance of rain from 10 a.m. through Sunday evening.
In the Santa Ynez Valley, rain is likely to begin after 4 p.m. on Friday with a tenth to a quarter inch of rain possible. Rain is to continue through Friday night with three quarters to an inch of rain possible.
Saturday showers are also expected, with a quarter to half an inch of rain possible. Sunday has a chance of rain after 10 a.m.
Lompoc has a 50% chance of rain on Friday, with a tenth to a quarter inch of rain possible, and three quarters to an inch of rain on Friday night.
Saturday is likely to get rain after 10 a.m. with a tenth to a quarter inch of rain possible. Sunday has a 30% chance of rain after 10 a.m. and is expected to continue through the evening.
Santa Maria is expected to get rain after 4 p.m. on Friday, and could get a half to three quarters of an inch.
On Saturday, rain is mainly expected after 10 a.m. with a tenth to a quarter inch possible. Saturday night has a 20% chance of rain and Sunday has a 30% chance of rain after 10 a.m.
