A major storm will hit Santa Barbara County Thursday night and last through Saturday, with potential for flooding and thunderstorms.
Local sandbag stations opened Thursday and emergency officials sent out alerts.
“Be prepared for possible flooding in low-lying areas, strong winds, hail, lightning, dangerous flash flooding, and shallow debris flows in and near recent burn areas,” the ReadySBC.org message said.
The National Weather Service issued a Flood Watch for the region from midnight Thursday through noon Friday, saying heavy rainfall could cause widespread flooding as well as debris flows in areas burned recently by wildfires.
Forecasters expect a “lull” in the rainfall later on Friday before a second wave of rain hits the region Friday night and Saturday.
In the most likely scenario, Santa Barbara County areas will get 3 to 4.5 inches of rain during the two-part storm.
Saturday is the “period of most concern,” NWS meteorologist Ryan Kittell told Noozhawk.
The day could bring damaging winds in addition to heavy rain, and people should change their plans for the day to stay indoors if they can, he said.
Another flood watch is expected to be in effect Saturday.
People should be “weather aware” and duck inside if they encounter thunder, lightning or rapidly-changing winds, Kittell added.
High winds could cause airport delays Friday and Saturday, especially at Los Angeles International Airport, the NWS said.
Gale-force winds are possible offshore, and both small-craft advisories and gale warnings were in effect as of Thursday afternoon.
Cooler temperatures are expected through the weekend and into next week, with highs around 60 degrees, according to the NWS.
There could be more rain next week, although that is expected to have minor impacts.
If the NWS issues flash flood warnings during the storm, staff will likely also send out Wireless Emergency Alerts to affected areas. These warnings are sent “in the moment” when flash flooding is imminent, often within an hour of the impacts, Kittell said.
No evacuation warnings or orders were in effect for Santa Barbara County as of Thursday afternoon, but officials did issue them a month ago when strong rainstorms and thunderstorms were forecasted.
“If you are concerned that this storm may cause unsafe conditions to your local roads and your home, leave the area before rain starts. Do not wait for an official evacuation notification to leave,” emergency officials said Thursday.
More storm-related information is available for Santa Barbara County residents at: https://www.readysbc.org/4793/Major-Storm.
Sign up for emergency alerts here.
The City of Santa Barbara activated its emergency parking program.
Check the latest forecast and weather-related alerts here.
Be Prepared for Rain and Flooding
A list of locations to fill up sandbags for free: https://www.countyofsb.org/2219/Sandbags
How to stack sandbags properly: https://news.caloes.ca.gov/using-sandbags-safely/
Check your areas’s flooding risk: find flood maps at https://www.floodsmart.gov/
Santa Barbara County: Storm readiness
Department of Water Resources: Ways you can be flood ready
FEMA: Document and insure your property
Track rainfall amounts at https://rain.cosbpw.net/ and https://www.vcwatershed.net/fws/rain-map/