Edhat Staff
Source: County of Santa Barbara
Yesterday, the National Weather Service issued a weather briefing of a potential significant winter storm for Santa Barbara County on January 9-10. With the burn scar created by the Thomas Fire, the threat of flash floods and debris/mud flows is now 10 times greater than before the fire. The fire scorched more than 17 named canyons in the county. It is important that the public understand the seriousness of this situation and not delay in taking action to protect their self, family and property.
To address the situation and notify residents and visitors, the County is holding a press conference on January 5 and a community meeting from 5 to 6 p.m. Monday, January 8 at 105 E. Anapamu in the County’s Fourth Floor Board Hearing Room. See below for livestream availability.
The purpose of both events is to inform and prepare the public about damage to canyons and the watershed; flood and hazard risks due to erosion, debris flows and flooding; disaster preparedness; and tips for flood prevention and recovery.
An interactive map will be available on January 5 to identify the risk areas with the ability to enter a specific address. Once complete, the map will be linked at www.countyofsb.org where there is already information and resources to prepare for flooding after the fire, including erosion control on private property, flood prevention, and having a disaster plan and disaster kit ready.
In addition, the County website includes a listing of Thomas Fire recovery resources and assistance.
Residents and visitors are urged to register to receive emergency alerts at www.AwareandPrepare.org.
Community Meeting:
5-6 p.m. Monday, January 8
105 E. Anapamu St., Santa Barbara 93013
105 E. Anapamu St., Santa Barbara 93013
To watch a livestream of the meeting, go to CSB TV on cable channel 20, or watch on County YouTube or FaceBook live.
Spanish and ASL interpreters will be available.
Whittier Fire mud slides takes out #154, Thomas Fire takes out #101 south, #101 at Gaviota (?) just because…didn’t that happen in 2005, and we were stuck and isolated w/o food in grocery stores and no gas for 1 week? If mud slides take out a few dozen power transmission lines, we could be facing a real thing. Gas up. Get groceries. Batteries. Sand bags. Store water.