High winds across the Central Coast toppled trees, knocked out down power poles, damaged a windmill in Solvang, and caused other troubles including numerous electrical outages Sunday.
Mid-afternoon Sunday, the National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning for Santa Barbara County due to heavy rain, and flooding prompted the Santa Barbara Airport’s closure and some evacuations in downtown Santa Barbara.
“Between 1 and 3 inches of rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 4 inches are possible in the warned area through midnight. Flash flooding and debris flows are occurring and will worsen tonight,” the flash flood statement said.
Areas that will experience flash flooding include Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, Orcutt, Lompoc, Montecito, Santa Ynez, Point Conception, Carpinteria, Solvang and Summerland.
Concerns center on life-threatening flash flooding of creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses along with debris flows consisting of rock and mud slides.
By late Sunday afternoon, flooding forced the closure of the airfield at the Santa Barbara Airport, leading to flight delays and cancellations. All commercial flights were canceled, general aviation operations were paused and the terminal closed, airport officials said.
The airport likely won’t reopen until 10 a.m. Monday.
“Heavy rain will continue to spread the region causing rapid rises on area creeks and streams,” according to a National Weather Service statement.
The Santa Barbara Airport set a rainfall record for the date of 2.23 inches, shattering the old record of 0.50 in 1990, according to the National Weather Service.
Two-day storm totals for the county as of Sunday evening were 5.31 inches at Alisal Reservoir, 4.94 at Cachuma Dam and Tecolate Canyon at 4.70. Other totals were 3.63 inches in Santa Barbara, 0.97 in Santa Maria, 4.01 in Solvang, 1.78 in Carpinteria and 3.07 in Lompoc.
Rising Waters for Local Creeks and Rivers
A rain-swollen Mission Creek in Santa Barbara was overflowing into the roadway in several locations including at De la Vina and Haley streets on Sunday afternoon, prompting police to evacuate residences in the area.
Later, city officials added homes on Bath and Cota streets among evacuation areas.
Local riverbeds also have seen water flows rise dramatically.
“While flooding of the Sisquoc River at Garey and the Santa Ynez River at Narrows is currently unlikely, the rivers will likely contain fast stream flow and reach action stage,” the National Weather Service said.
The Sisquoc River at Garey is expected to crest at 11.5 feet Sunday night, with action stage being 11.0 feet. Flood stage is 16 feet.
The Santa Ynez River at Narrows has exceeded 11.0 feet and is already in action stage, with flood stage at 15 feet.
As storm impacts increased, Gov. Gavin Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency for Santa Barbara County and seven other counties on Sunday.
Emergency personnel throughout Santa Barbara County have been busy for hours dealing with weather-related incidents.
Winds Take Down Power Poles, Trees, Part of a Solvang Building’s Windmill
Shortly after 7 a.m., emergency crews were dispatched to a report of a fallen power pole on Highway 166 five miles east of New Cuyama, fire Capt. Scott Safechuck said.
“Strong winds across Santa Barbara County are increasing incidents related to downed trees and power lines,” Safechuck said Sunday morning.
Highway 166, which connects the Central Coast and the southern San Joaquin Valley, was closed due to the incident, one of many reported to emergency crews Sunday.
“Strong winds have arrived locally and rain is on the way,” Santa Barbara County officials warned Sunday morning. “Use caution as weather may be changing rapidly today.”
In Solvang, one arm of the windmill at the Solvang Brewing Company building had broken off, likely falling victim to the especially windy conditions.
The highest wind reports in the 24 hours ending mid-morning Sunday include 75 mph in the Purisima Hills, 69 mph on Cat Canyon Road, 78 mph at the Point Conception Lighthouse and 68 mph in the Gaviota Hills, according to the National Weather Service.
Forecasters said the system shifted slightly so the heaviest rain would fall in the Los Angeles area, but the danger remains for Santa Barbara County.
“Heavy rain and a high risk of dangerous flooding still exists for Ventura and southern Santa Barbara counties even with this shift,” according to the National Weather Service.
Rainfall totals through Tuesday range from estimates of 3 inches in Santa Maria and more than 5 inches in Santa Barbara and the Santa Ynez Valley.
Through Sunday night, peak wind gusts up to 59 mph in Santa Maria and Santa Ynez plus 54 mph in Santa Barbara and Lompoc are possible. Offshore buoys may see wind gusts as high as 69 mph.
As of Sunday night, Pacific Gas & Electric Company reported about 1,000 customers were without power due to outages related to weather. PG&E serves northern Santa Barbara County and reported more than 11,000 customers without power earlier in the day.
Southern California Edison crews also were busy responding to incidents of downed poles and wires in the South County.
Fallen trees hit close to home for firefighters at Station 11 in Goleta where one blocked Storke Road mid-morning. Storke Road remained closed in both directions at Santa Felicia Road/Phelps Road until crews could remove the tree.
In addition to dealing with a large tree that toppled on a condo complex in Goleta, emergency crews were alerted at approximately 7:30 a.m. about a tree, roughly 2 feet in diameter, blocking Jalama Road more than seven miles from Highway 1.
Shortly after noon on Coronado Drive in Goleta, a large tree branch covered a parked vehicle.
In Santa Barbara, a leaning tree led to the closure of Loma Alta Drive between Cliff Drive and Shoreline Drive, according to the Santa Barbara Police Department. The road is closed to all vehicles and pedestrians.
Clean Air Express officials said the service would not operate Monday. Multiple schools also will be closed.
Due to hazardous weather all Santa Barbara Superior Court jurors are directed not to report for service on Monday and await further instructions on when they need to show up, court officials said Sunday.
Santa Maria Valley roads that are among the first to flood during rain storms were closed Sunday morning. These include Black Road from Main Street (Highway 166) to Betteravia Road and West Stowell Road from Hanson Way to Black Road.
Several sections of Highway 1 the Santa Maria Valley area also were closed due to flooding.
