The storms are gone, but their impacts are still being felt across Santa Barbara County.
County leaders declared a local emergency on Friday, after the region sustained an estimated $7.6 million in damages to government assets from two recent storms.
“Declaring a local emergency allows the county to seek inclusion in the state’s disaster proclamation and pursue financial assistance through FEMA and the California Disaster Assistance Act,” County Executive Officer Mona Miyasato said.
Under the California Emergency Services Act, the county has 10 days after an incident to proclaim a local emergency to seek disaster assistance. The proclamation is expected to be officially ratified by the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors during its meeting on Tuesday.
The heavy rain in the back-to-back storms caused flooding that affected roadways, highways, urban areas, and state and local parks. The storms also caused high winds, coastal erosion, landslides and shallow debris flows.
The Jan. 3 storm was also deadly. A Los Angeles County man reportedly visiting the area was found dead in Maria Ygnacio Creek. He was swept away trying to cross the Goleta Valley creek at Via Regina near North San Marcos Road.
Intense Rain
After a wet November, Santa Barbara County was hit with two major storms: in late December and early January.
The county recorded 14.5 inches of rain during the first storm between Dec. 23 and Dec. 26, officials said. Rainfall rates reached 1.46 inches per hour at one point on Dec. 25, they added.
The storms between Dec. 31 and Jan. 4 “brought more rain to already saturated watersheds, increasing cumulative multi-storm totals to more than 22 inches. Some locations experienced extremely high rainfall on January 3, 2026, with rates of up to 2.0 inches in one hour. Throughout these events, the National Weather Service issued more than 50 weather statements, and the County Office of Emergency Management sent eight emergency alerts to residents,” county officials said in a statement about the emergency declaration.
Reported Damage
The county has already begun clearing roads that were affected by the storm.
Crews are clearing debris from Refugio Road along the Gaviota Coast, according to a report submitted to the Board of Supervisors. Other roads affected are East Camino Cielo Road from Highway 154 to Painted Cave, and Santa Barbara Canyon Road in Cuyama.
The work includes removing debris, clearing culverts and pavement restoration.
Officials hope to restore access to Refugio Road by the end of the week, according to Lael Wageneck, the public information officer for the Santa Barbara County Public Works Department. Santa Barbara Canyon Road is expected to open within the next two days.
The Office of Emergency Management is asking residents to report property damage at their homes or businesses, which will help the county advocate for state and federal assistance. The disaster damage report form is available at app.smartsheet.com/b/form/fd94e20828814cebbf0afdf29355f78b.
The Santa Barbara Airport was forced to close on multiple days because of flooding from local creeks that spilled water on the runway. Officials recently shared the ways they’re working to prevent future flood-related closures.
The Arroyo Hondo Preserve is temporarily closed because of storm damage.