Multiple weather alerts were in effect Thursday due to heavy bursts of rain hitting Santa Barbara County.
The National Weather Service issued a flood advisory, in effect through 8 p.m. countywide, and special weather statements Thursday afternoon for the forecast of thunderstorms and possible hail.
As of 3 p.m., some South Coast and Santa Ynez Mountain areas had hit rainfall rates of 1 inch per hour.
San Marcos pass had recorded 4.9 inches of rain in the past 24 hours. Santa Barbara had 2.7 inches, Goleta had 1.8 inches, Solvang had 1.9 inches, Lompoc had 1.7 inches, Santa Maria had 1.1 inches of rain.
As the storm continued, multiple agencies issued warnings to residents.
“The highest potential will be this afternoon into this evening and into the late evening hours,” said Devin Black, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service.
Black stated that the storm will likely move to the eastern portion of Santa Barbara County around 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. He added that there is a 20 to 30% chance of thunderstorms.
Residential areas of Santa Barbara County have up to 3 inches of rain as of Thursday afternoon. Foothill and mountain areas have reported 3-5 inches of rain.
Santa Barbara County issued evacuation warnings and orders for residents in the Lake Fire burn area. Officials are worried that the fire has made the area more susceptible to debris flows and mudslides.
County officials say they have not seen any major issues caused by the storm.
Officials are monitoring the area around the Alamo Pintado Creek due to its proximity to the Lake Fire area. The water levels are higher than normal due to the rain but it has not overflowed.
The NWS has also issued warnings about high surfs, flooding, and extreme winds.
The advisories warned of high surfs, with waves 4-8 feet high on Thursday and a potential of 12-foot-high waves on Friday. The waves could also be associated with rip currents.
The waves could potentially pull swimmers and surfers out to sea, wash people off beaches, or capsize small boats near the shore. The high surf advisory is in effect until 9 a.m. Saturday.
The NWS also warned of flooding in the lower-lying parts of Santa Barbara County or areas with poor drainage. The alert warned drivers to turn around if they encounter a flooded area and says most flood deaths occur in vehicles.
The flood advisory is in effect until 8 p.m. Thursday.
Several trees were downed by high winds Thursday, and some blocked roads or took down power lines. A wind advisory was in effect until 4 p.m., the NWS said.
“Everyone should just be weather aware and heed warnings from us and emergency officials, because there is still potential for debris flows, especially in and around the Lake (Fire) burn scar,” Black said.
“Just be careful on the roadways. Watch out for flooding possible (and) possibly down trees.”
The Weather Ahead
In Santa Barbara, the rain is expected to last into Friday with a risk of thunderstorms. The thunderstorms are expected to begin before 10 p.m. but will turn into showers after.
On Friday, the rain is expected to stop before 10 a.m.
The weather is expected to clear up going into the weekend with Saturday being mostly sunny with daytime temperatures in the mid-60s. Sunday is also expected to be sunny with daytime temperatures in the high-60s.
North County will see similar weather over the next few days.
The NWS is predicting possible thunderstorms in the Lompoc region Thursday afternoon and wind gusts as high as 30 miles per hour.
The rain is expected to last until 10 a.m. on Friday. The weather is expected to become sunny, but gusts as high as 25 miles per hour are still likely.
The NWS is predicting that the weather will clear up over the weekend with both Saturday and Sunday being sunny with daytime temperatures in the mid-60s.