A gaping hole sits on the side of Union Valley Parkway after a sinkhole sent water into homes in Orcutt and sandy soil into a neighborhood.
sat

Truck after truck removed sandy soil several inches thick from Orcutt streets Tuesday after a huge sinkhole developed nearby, one of the storm-related incidents that damaged dozens of North Santa Barbara County homes. 

In Guadalupe, a breach of the Santa Maria River levee led to flooding that forced some residents into shelters and needing new homes. 

Tuesday provided a chance to conduct assessments and cleanups for North County communities after the heavy rains.

The Orcutt sinkhole led to the closure of a segment of Union Valley Parkway along with several streets, including Hibiscus Court and Parkland Drive, in the Park Place neighborhood off Bradley Road.

A large sinkhole on Union Valley Parkway led to damaged homes in an Orcutt neighborhood.

A gaping hole exists on the side of Union Valley Parkway just east of Bradley Road as water and soil traveled down several streets and into several homes and yards.

On Tuesday, groups of residents flocked to see the damage left behind by the deluge that also overwhelmed a retention basin south of Union Valley Parkway. 

Heavy equipment operators steadily scooped up piles of dirt to take it away from the area.

“There’s so much to do. They’re going to be out there for days,” county Fourth District Supervisor Bob Nelson said.

A muddy mess remained in an Orcutt neighborhood on Tuesday.
A muddy mess remains in an Orcutt neighborhood on Tuesday. Credit: Janene Scully / Noozhawk photo

Anthony Stornetta, Incident Management Team commander with the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, estimated that 30 to 40 homes had been damaged in Orcutt. 

At least two homes had significant damage related to foundation issues with dozens of others left with water damage, Nelson said. 

One home had water up to the middle of the garage door, Nelson said. 

He said a county stormwater basin appeared to have failed, with a significant amount of water undermining a wall.

“I believe if we would have had vegetation in there instead of just sand it probably would have operated the way it was (designed),” he said.

Another stormwater basin south of Union Valley Parkway also appeared to have failed. 

“It’s kind of a double sinkhole,” Nelson said. 

Parkways along Bradley Road also were left with deep channels created by the flowing water.

“We don’t know yet whether that went under the road and sidewalks as well. It’s kind of hard to tell at this point,” Nelson said. 

Guadalupe also had flooding in the lower Pioneer Street neighborhood, with 20 residents sheltered overnight at the City Hall Auditorium, according to the Guadalupe emergency resolution. 

Fifth District Supervisor Steve Lavagnino said he went out unannounced to Guadalupe, finding Santa Barbara County Flood Control and contractor employees at the scene of the levee breach.

“They were ready to rock-‘n’-roll, and they were already repairing the levee as I was out there,” Lavagnino said. 

He said he was told that about 30 structures were damaged by the flooding in Guadalupe.

Elsewhere in Santa Barbara County, residents have been stranded in the Rancho Oso, Tepusquet, Sisquoc and Garey communities, according to officials. 

About 400 people and 70 horses were isolated at Rancho Oso in the upper Santa Ynez Valley by mud and debris across the roadway. Santa Barbara County Fire Department crews responded to clear the roadway and escort them out. Credit: Santa Barbara County Fire Department photo

Nelson was irate that most of the attention from county leaders focused on the South Coast with little mention about the plight of North County neighborhoods.

“You know what our county motto is? One county, one future. As long as the county’s southern Santa Barbara County,” Nelson said. 

Lavagnino had a more measured reaction, saying he had received great response from county employees as he raised concerns and recognized the loss of life that occurred along the South Coast.

In the Santa Ynez Valley, Alisal Ranch in Solvang had some flooding, leading to the safe evacuation of guests and employees, a spokeswoman said. Accommodations were provided in town, she added.

“All animals were safely moved to higher ground or transported to sites not affected by flooding, thanks to the incredible work of our wranglers and staff at large,” spokeswoman Jennifer Padilla said. “We are grateful to our hardworking team for ensuring everyone’s safety and look forward to welcoming guests back once the storm has passed and we can safely do so.”

The heavy rains did create a popular attraction on Tuesday in the Santa Maria Valley. 

Hundreds of residents flocked to see the flowing Santa Maria River at the Suey Road crossing, with children riding scooters and dogs on leashes as they all took in the unique sight.

“Look at the water,” one onlooker said of the normally dry riverbed.

— Noozhawk North County editor Janene Scully can be reached at jscully@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.