Winter weather hazards return to the Central Coast

Heavy rain, winds and even snowfall are hitting the Central Coast, posing threats to people and property.

County emergency information website:

San Luis Obispo County

Santa Barbara County

Monterey County

Update: 11:15a.m. February 27

The worst of the heavy winter storm that hit the Central Coast last week is over, though there’s still ongoing rain, winds and low temperatures. The region didn’t see nearly the same amount of damage this time around, compared to last month’s atmospheric river event.

However, some areas did see significant damage and disruption, like a portion of Highway 1 near Lompoc. CalTrans said a section of the highway half a mile north of Jalama Road washed out during heavy rain.

The agency said repairs will likely take weeks. Drivers in that area can expect one-way traffic control and up to 20-minute delays.

Update: 4:30p.m.

The National Weather Service has extended the flood advisory until 9p.m. for San Luis Obispo County. Meanwhile, there's still a flash flood warning in Santa Barbara County until 10p.m. tonight.

Update: 4:10p.m.

SLO County has issued an evacuation warning for Oceano residents in the area around the Arroyo Grande Creek Levee. It's for areas south of the levee, south of the Arroyo Grande Creek Channel for 1 mile and west of Highway 1.

The county says residents in this area should be prepared for possible flooding and evacuation. If the warnings are upgraded to mandatory evacuation orders, emergency officials will use Wireless Emergency Alerts, reverse telephone notification systems and social media to alert people.

More information is available on ReadySLO.org.

Update: 4p.m.

The National Weather Service (NWS) has extended flood advisories until 4p.m. for both SLO and Santa Barbara Counties.

Both counties are reporting flooding at various spots around the county. Officials urge people to be extra alert if they have to travel.

A flash flood warning has been issued for Santa Barbara County's south coast, mid-county, interior mountains, and Santa Maria's east side. The county is asking residents to avoid recent burn areas, creeks and streams. The warnings are expected to continue until 10 PM tonight and flood watches in the area will continue until 6 PM tomorrow.

NWS also predicts Santa Barbara County’s winter weather advisory will end tonight at 10 PM for the Cuyama Valley and Santa Ynez mountain range. There’s also a blizzard warning in effect for the county’s interior mountains that will remain in effect until 4 PM tomorrow.

Meanwhile, SLO County says Oceano residents south of HWY 1, are vulnerable to flooding. The County says heavy rain could cause the Arroyo Creek Levee to spill over, possibly flooding the area. Emergency officials are asking residents to remain alert, and be prepared to evacuate to higher ground in case flooding occurs.

If an evacuation becomes necessary, they will use Wireless Emergency Alerts to notify residents.

Update: 3p.m.

A flash flood warning has been issued for Santa Barbara County’s south coast, mid-county, interior mountains, and Santa Maria’s east side. The county is asking it’s local residents to avoid recent burn areas, creeks and streams. The warnings are expected to continue until 10 PM tonight and flood watches in the area will continue until 6 PM tomorrow.

NWS also predicts Santa Barbara County’s winter weather advisory will end tonight at 10 PM for the Cuyama Valley and Santa Ynez mountain range. There’s also a blizzard warning in effect for the county’s interior mountains that will remain in effect until 4 PM tomorrow.

Update 1:45p.m.

National Weather Service Los Angeles has extended flood advisories until 4pm, for both SLO and Santa Barbara Counties. Government officials from both counties are asking residents to stay aware of rainfall and to avoid travel.

SLO County’s Office of Emergency Services says Oceano residents, south of HWY 1, may be most vulnerable to flooding. The County says heavy rain could cause the Arroyo Creek Levee to spillover, possibly flooding the area. Emergency officials are asking residents to remain alert, and be prepared to evacuate to higher ground in case flooding occurs.

Emergency services say if an evacuation becomes necessary, officials will use Wireless Emergency Alerts to notify residents.

NWS also predicts Santa Barbara County’s winter weather advisory will end tonight at 10 PM for the Cuyama Valley and Santa Ynez mountain range. There’s also a blizzard warning in effect for the county’s interior mountains that will remain in effect until 4 PM tomorrow.

Multiple flood watches have also been issued by the agency saying the most vulnerable places are Santa Ynez and coastal areas, from Point Conception through Carpenteria. The flood watches will be in effect until 6 PM tomorrow.

And, this morning the agency issued a tornado warning for Santa Barbara County’s Casmalia area, but it has been lifted as of 10:30 AM.

With the heavy rain returning, there’s a full closure of HWY 166, from HWY 101 to HWY 33 due to mudslides and flooding. And, HWY 1 is closed in both directions between Oso Flaco Road and Division Road in Guadalupe due to flooding.

NWS Los Angeles forecasts rain intensity to lower this evening in SLO County, but that's less true further down the coast to Santa Barbara County and Southern California.

Update 12:50 p.m.

The tornado warning has been cancelled for Casmalia, north of Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County.

Check readysbc.org for more updates on Santa Barbara County advisories, warnings and closures.

Original post: 11:45a.m.

There’s a tornado warning in Santa Barbara County. The most vulnerable areas are north of Vandenberg Space Force Base, specifically Casmalia. The county is asking residents to go to an interior room or closet on the lowest floor of a building, and to avoid windows. If you are outdoors or in a vehicle, go into a building and protect yourself from flying debris.

San Luis Obispo County is seeing heavy rain as well. The county has issued a flood advisory, asking residents to stay aware of winter weather and avoid travel.

SLO County’s Office of Emergency Services is asking Oceano residents who live south of Highway 1 to remain alert, and be prepared to evacuate to higher ground in case flooding occurs. The County says heavy rain could cause the Arroyo Creek Levee to spillover and cause flooding in the area.

For more information you can visit readyslo.org for SLO County, readysbc.org for Santa Barbara County, and weather.gov for the National Weather Service.

You can also check CalTrans District 5’s website for highway conditions on the Central Coast. The agency posts updates on their Twitter, @CalTransD5 and their Facebook page, CalTrans Central Coast District 5.

And, several roads and highways have been closed throughout the Central Coast as of this morning:

San Luis Obispo County:

Arroyo Grande

• Upper Lopez Canyon Rd is closed (due to water crossings running too high)

Atascadero

• Los Palos Rd and Santa Barbara Rd closed (due to flooding)

Paso Robles

• Penman Springs Rd is closed due to flooding
• Cholame Valley Rd, from McMillan Rd to HWY 46 is open, with “FLOODED” signage posted

Santa Barbara County:

Santa Ynez / Buellton

• Alisal Road
• North Refugio Rd, 4.5 miles south of HWY 246
• Figueroa Mountain Rd is closed 6.5 miles North of HWY 154

Santa Maria

• W. Main St is closed at Guadalupe Dunes Park

South Coast Mountains

• Gibraltar Rd
• Stagecoach from Paradise to HWY 154
• El Camino Cielo from HWY 154 to Gibraltar

Santa Barbara / Montecito

• E Mountain Dr from Coyote Rd to Colf Springs
• Padero Ln Bridge Closure

South Monterey County:

• Cholame Road is closed due to flooding
• Coast Rd is closed due to weather conditions
• Gonzalez River Bridge is flooded