Update, as of 9:40 a.m.:
- State Route 192 is closed from Coyote Road to Chelham Way in Santa Barbara County due to downed power lines on the roadway.
- State Route 192, near Mission Canyon Lane, reopened after trees fell down on the roadway.
- The Santa Barbara County Airport closed due to flooding on it's airfield.
- A new rockslide expanded the Highway 1 southern closure in the Big Sur area, from Limekiln to south of Salmon Creek.
ORIGINAL STORY
An atmospheric river brought heavy rain and high surf to the central coast Sunday night. The National Weather Service warned people across the region to prepare for a worst case scenario.
Moderate to heavy rain and strong wind is expected through Wednesday. Flood Watches are also in effect throughout the central coast until then. The weather service warned people to use extra caution during this time.
As of 6:20p.m., flooding caused Highway 1 to shut down near the Orcutt and Santa Maria area. The highway is closed from Solomon Road to Black Road. CalTrans representatives said it’s likely to open soon after the rain ends.
Evacuation warnings are also in place near creeks and areas with burn scars throughout the region.
An evacuation warning was issued in south Monterey County for the downslope parts of the River Fire Burn Scar. It includes Berry Drive, Pine Canyon Road, 800 Black River Road, Limekiln Road and Parker Road.
In Santa Barbara County, evacuation warnings are in place for people who live along waterways near the Thomas, Cave and Alisal burn areas. The county also issued evacuation warnings for properties near Sycamore and Mission Creeks in the City of Santa Barbara.
A High Surf Warning was issued in San Luis Obispo County and a High Surf Advisory was issued in Santa Barbara County by the National Weather Service.
Waves 14 to 20 feet high are expected to continue in SLO County until Tuesday, with the highest surf expected to happen Monday night on southwest facing beaches.
Meanwhile, waves could reach 12 feet in Santa Barbara County. The weather service warned minor coastal flooding could happen during morning high tides in both counties.
The agency said, as of 8:20p.m., rainfall rates are increasing from 0.30 to 0.50 inches per hour across Santa Barbara and adjacent communities, including the Santa Ynez Range.
In San Luis Obispo, about 0.67 inches of rain fell in the past 24 hours, according to county data.
The weather service warned there is a growing potential for thunderstorms and severe weather until Monday.
Emergency updates are at readySBC.org for Santa Barbara County residents, emergencyslo.org for SLO County residents and here for Monterey County residents.
