Santa Barbara County is no stranger to major flooding, and public agencies are already preparing for a potentially wet winter.
The National Weather Service predicts strong El Niño conditions, which bring a higher likelihood of above-average rainfall.
County staff from multiple departments updated the Board of Supervisors Tuesday on ongoing work to prepare for winter storms.
County Fire Chief Garrett Huff said the county is monitoring wildfire burn scars for flooding and debris flow risks.
There are limited properties at risk of debris flows in the 2024 Lake Fire burn area in the Santa Ynez Valley, he said. There is a high risk of flooding within the areas that burned in the 2025 Gifford Fire, along Highway 166 east of Santa Maria, according to the county.
Huff directed residents to sign up for the county’s emergency alert system and preparedness guides at ReadySBC.org and stay alert for evacuation warnings or orders during extreme weather.
Flood Control staff prepare for rain impacts every year, which includes removing vegetation and debris from creek channels and making sure its infrastructure is functional, said Matt Griffin, the county’s deputy director of flood control.
However, no amount of maintenance is going to prevent creek flooding during extreme rainfall, he noted.
Transportation Division staff inspect and clear road culverts before the rainy season and stage equipment near “vulnerable areas” before storms, he said.
Crews are prepared to clear or close roads as needed, and prioritize reopening single-access roads, Deputy Director Mostafa Estaji said.
Similarly, County Parks staff clear culverts and do a lot of tree work before storms. Staff also get all-weather gear.
The county also helps coordinate warming shelter services, which are hosted in community centers and churches during storms or cold weather, according to Community Services Director Jesús Armas.
Supervisor Bob Nelson asked for a proactive approach to getting homeless people out of riverbeds, where they create encampments, before heavy rainfall and higher flows.
Armas said the county is working with Lompoc to address the people living in the Santa Ynez River bed. Agencies have worked together on large riverbed encampment cleanup and resident relocation efforts in the past.
Supervisor Laura Capps reiterated concerns about Isla Vista bluff erosion during high tides and heavy rainfall.
County staff monitors the bluffs by walking the beaches and doing drone flights. They also now notify residents of the dangers during heavy rain and king tides, Planning and Development Director Lisa Plowman said.
The county will host a virtual El Niño Community Meeting on Oct. 1 from 5:30–7 p.m. to review the winter weather forecast, emergency information and work completed on local creeks and roads to prepare for storms. The registration link is here.
County officials recently said they are concerned about the possibility of not receiving federal funding for repairing emergency storm damage.
