A record-breaking weekend of rain caused flooded roads throughout Santa Barbara, with cars getting stuck and some residents having to walk through water to get to their homes.
The rain continued Monday morning and left lingering effects in low-lying areas around the city.
Heather Sturgeon, owner of an apartment building at 440 Por La Mar Dr., said her tenants have had to trudge through water to get to their cars as excessive flooding is up to the steps of the building.
“Right now there’s already one, maybe two steps that are completely buried in the water,” Sturgeon said. “You can’t see where the road ends or begins or the sidewalks start or the curbs.”
While most of the residents were able to move their cars to the street and walk through the water to get to their cars and back, Sturgeon said one tenant parked in the back of the building hasn’t been able to safely move their vehicle.
Sturgeon said the street’s main drain is in front of her property and can’t keep up with excess water coming from the Dwight Murphy Park construction area.
“Dwight Murphy Park is completely flooded also, so it’s coming over and flooding into the street,” Sturgeon said. “It’s a huge contribution to the amount of water that’s flowing into the street, and it’s just all trying to get into that drain and it can’t.”
On Monday, several cars turned around at the street closure sign while others drove through the water.
Noozhawk reporters witnessed a white BMW getting stuck in the water after driving through the flooded road.
Latchford told Noozhawk that the city plans to relieve the drain in the area by bringing in two tanks and placing the water somewhere else.
Flooded Roads and Closures
The city experienced significant flooding in many lower Eastside streets, highway underpasses and ramps, and downtown State Street itself, according to spokesman Bryan Latchford.
“City crews from fire, police, and public works have been actively monitoring conditions, clearing debris, and working to restore safe access throughout the impacted areas,” Latchford said.
Crews were deployed to clear drains and remove downed trees, including a large pine tree on Modoc Road Monday afternoon.
Road closures were in effect Monday afternoon on Cacique Street, Calle Cesar Chavez near the railroad tracks, East Gutierrez Street, and lower Salsipuedes Street due to flooding.
All the roadway closures were lifted shortly before 5 p.m., according to the city.
Wet Start to the Rainy Season
The rainfall over the past few days has set records for the city.
This weekend’s storm has contributed more than half of the city’s average annual rainfall, according to Latchford.
Santa Barbara has already seen 9.5 inches of rain for the current water year, which started in September.
The month of November, while just halfway through, has brought a record-breaking 8 inches of rain.
According to the county rain gauges, over the past four days, local areas got quite the soaking:
- Goleta saw 7.43 inches of rain
- Santa Maria saw 3.65 inches of rain
- Santa Ynez saw 5.52 inches of rain
- Lompoc saw 3.82 inches of rain
- Carpinteria saw 6.31 inches of rain
- Solvang saw 5.98 inches of rain
- Guadalupe saw 2.86 inches of rain
- Buellton saw 4.53 inches
More Rain Forecasted This Week
About 1 to 2 more inches of rain is expected through Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service.
NWS predicts there might be more flooding and the possibility of mudslides.
The city extended its Emergency Storm Parking program, where residents can register and park for free, until noon on Tuesday.
Additionally, rain is forecasted for Thursday and Friday, the NWS said.
