Update by the edhat staff
12:00 p.m., February 5, 2024
Effective at noon on Monday, February 5, 2024, all Evacuation Orders are canceled for the following areas:
- Properties along waterways associated with the Thomas, Cave and Alisal burn scar areas
- Properties in the vicinity of Sycamore Creek, from Stanwood Dr. down to parts of Ninos Dr. in the City of Santa Barbara
- All state campgrounds including Gaviota, Refugio, El Capitan and Carpinteria
- Please refer to State Parks for information regarding status of listed campgrounds.
Residents are urged to remain vigilant returning home as some roads may be impacted or closed. Certain areas, in particular Sycamore Canyon, should anticipate delays returning home as assessment and repairs are being conducted. Ground saturation may cause continued rock falls, minor debris flows and landslides, and tree falls even if it is not raining.
- For status of County roadways, click here.
- For status of Caltrans-maintained highways, click here.
- For status of California Highway Patrol roads, click here.
Animals being sheltered by County Animal Services or partnering agencies should be picked up as soon as possible.
Residents and businesses that sustained damages as a result of the storm can complete an online Storm Damage Report Form available here.
The Santa Barbara County Call Center will remain open until 5 p.m., Monday, February 5, 2024 to assist with repopulation questions. Please call 833-688-5551 to reach the call center.
Updates regarding the February 2024 storm response will continue to be posted here: February 2024 Storm | Santa Barbara County, CA – Official Website (readysbc.org).
Public safety officials understand that evacuation orders are burdensome and appreciate the community’s cooperation and patience.
Downtown Santa Barbara Neighborhood Evacuated Due to Rising Creek Levels
Update by the edhat staff
5:30 p.m., February 4, 2024
Santa Barbara Police are now evacuating residents in the area of Bath and Cota Streets due to rising water levels of Mission Creek.
Police previously evacuated residents in the area of De La Vina and Haley Streets due to rising water levels of Mission Creek.
Officers will be doing door knocks for those specific residences effective immediately.
Police going door to door to residents on De La Vina between Cota & Haley pic.twitter.com/yxZOogCDj2
— SB Scanner (@SBIncidents) February 5, 2024
Mission Creek overflowing pic.twitter.com/QWiSEjppZ1
— SB Scanner (@SBIncidents) February 5, 2024
Evacuation Orders are in Effect for Parts of Santa Barbara County due to Incoming Storm
Effective Immediately February 3, 2024
By the Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Management
2:00 p.m., Februay 3, 2024
An EVACUATION ORDER EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY February 3, 2024 has been issued at 2 p.m. for the following areas in Santa Barbara County due to life threatening floods possible due to the incoming storm:
- Properties along waterways associated with the Thomas, Cave and Alisal burn areas.
- Properties in the vicinity of Sycamore Creek, from Stanwood Dr. down to parts of Ninos Dr., in the city of Santa Barbara
- All state campgrounds including Gaviota, Refugio, El Capitan and Carpinteria
These EVACUATION ORDERS are due to an incoming storm arriving Saturday, February 3 through Tuesday, February 6 with the potential to produce flash flooding, debris flows and landslides.
Click here to access the interactive incident map.
Residents should:
- Leave TODAY, February 3 and please pay close attention to emergency alerts.
- Do not attempt to drive while it is dark or raining as roads may be damaged or your car may be swept away by moving water or debris.
- Expect strong winds which can cause debris to fall onto roadways and power outages.
- Be prepared to sustain yourself and your household for multiple days if you choose not to evacuate, as you may not be able to leave the area and emergency responders may not be able to access your property in the event of road damage, flooding, or debris.
The EVACUATION ORDER will remain in effect until further notice.
- An Evacuation Shelter has been opened at the Wake Center, 300 N. Turnpike Rd, Santa Barbara, CA, 93111.
- For Evacuation assistance and additional information, contact the Santa Barbara County Call Center at 833-688-5551.
- For small animal shelter information, call Santa Barbara County Animal Services at 805-681-4332.
- For large animal evacuation assistance, please call 805-892-4484.
- REGISTER TO RECEIVE PUBLIC SAFETY ALERTS: If you haven’t registered for emergency alerts, please do so at ReadySBC.org. Click on the orange rectangle to register to receive emergency alerts via text, phone call, and email.
- For status of highways, visit Caltrans: https://roads.dot.ca.gov/
roadscell.php - For status of county roadways, visit County Public Works: https://www.countyofsb.org/
2116/Road-Closures - For additional information, contact the Santa Barbara County Call Center at 833-688-5551 or visit ReadySBC.org for more information.
Residents not living in evacuation warning areas are still advised to do the following:
- Stay away from burn scars, rivers, creeks, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Those living in areas prone to flooding should stay aware of changing conditions and be prepared to take protective actions, such as evacuating and sheltering in place.
- Roads impacted during previous storms may experience flooding, mud and rock slides. Communities along these roads may become isolated.
- Beaches, bluffs and the Harbor area may be impacted. This storm may trigger coastal flooding and erosion along the bluffs throughout the county. Residents and visitors are advised to stay away from beach areas.
- Strong winds can cause power outages. Charge important electronic devices and be prepared in case an unexpected power outage occurs.
- Secure belongings that could get impacted by strong winds such as outdoor furniture.
REGISTER TO RECEIVE ReadySBC ALERTS: If you haven’t registered for emergency alerts, register now at ReadySBC.org. Receive local emergency alerts via text, phone call, and email.
By the Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Management
2:00 p.m., Februay 2, 2024
EVACUATION WARNINGS have been issued for the following areas in Santa Barbara County:
- Properties along waterways associated with the Thomas, Cave and Alisal burn areas.
- Properties in the vicinity of Sycamore Creek, from Stanwood Dr. down to parts of Ninos Dr., in the city of Santa Barbara.
This EVACUATION WARNING is due to an incoming storm arriving Saturday, February 3 through Tuesday, February 6 with the potential to produce flash flooding, debris flows and landslides.
Click here to access the interactive incident map.
The EVACUATION WARNING is in effect until further notice and may be upgraded to an Evacuation Order unless there are significant changes to the weather forecast.
Residents should:
- PREPARE to leave: fill gas tank, gather important documents, essential items, etc.
- LEAVE NOW if you feel unsafe. DO NOT wait for an evacuation order.
- BE READY to leave at a moment’s notice.
People with disabilities, access and functional needs should leave now.
People with large animals should leave now.
DO NOT attempt to drive while it is dark or raining, as roads may be damaged or your car may be swept away by moving water or debris.
BE PREPARED to sustain yourself and your household for multiple days if you choose not to evacuate, as you may not be able to leave the area and emergency responders may not be able to access your property in the event of road damage, flooding or debris.
Resources & Information:
- For small animal shelter information, call Santa Barbara County Animal Services at 805-681-4332.
- For large animal evacuation assistance, please call 805-892-4484.
- For Evacuation Center assistance and additional information, contact the Santa Barbara County Call Center at 833-688-5551.
- Storm readiness tips: http://www.readysbc.org/StormReadiness
- For status of highways: https://roads.dot.ca.gov/roadscell.php
- For status of County roadways: https://www.countyofsb.org/2116/Road-Closures
- For County sandbag filling locations: https://www.countyofsb.org/2219/Sandbags
- Sign up for ReadySBC Emergency Alerts: https://member.everbridge.net/index/892807736723794#/signup
Here are some details on our upcoming storm. Life threatening flooding, damaging winds and heavy mountain snow are coming. Many roads/freeways will be completely flooded. Many trees will be down. Power outages likely. There is still time to prepare. #cawx #larain pic.twitter.com/PqZB2y5Xdw
— NWS Los Angeles (@NWSLosAngeles) February 2, 2024
Updated to evacuation orders today.
Yeah… You have to read that to get to your always super helpful comment. Thanks!
County/City offered sandbag pickup Saturday morning at the fire station but there was no one there and no bags. Went to the other site and there was a line blocks long.Why are Santa Barbara resources and coordination always lacking during a crisis?
I rang the doorbell at firehouse #7 and they gave me almost 60 or 70 bags. I positioned the rest of the empty bags on a present bulldozers empty bucket after taking three bags and filling them halfway.
While another citizen arrived, and took more than a dozen bags and filled them up. Apparently, their entire driveway was being threatened and their property was about to suffer some amount of moderate to serious flooding. Thank You, SBCFD and SBFD, along with all PD and all other first responders. #Safetyfirst