Clean-up and utility crews were hard at work throughout the Central Coast Friday, in the wake of Thursday night's big storm. Strong winds and heavy rain caused massive power outages, flooding, and property destruction throughout the KCBX listening area.
As of Friday evening, PG&E reported roughly 6,500 customers still without power, down from a peak of 12,000 Thursday night.
Avila Beach is dealing with some of the worst storm problems. The entire town is pretty much shut down. The power has been out for and the lower lying streets remain flooded. Shops and restaurants were closed along the typically busy Front Street adjacent to the beach.
Debbie Calhoun is in town from Santa Cruz for her daughter's fall Cal Poly graduation ceremony. She rented a vacation home in Avila Beach for the occasion.
"It's been interesting because we have on-demand water heater in this beautiful home and so we have no hot water and we've got a big group and are having a graduation party," said Calhoun. "We're just making due, I mean it's Mother Nature, what can you do? We need the rain for God's sake."
In Santa Maria, those helping protect residents found themselves facing storm troubles. The entire living area of Fire Station No. 1 was submerged by flood waters according to a city spokesperson. The crew will temporarily be housed at Station No. 3 until the damage can be repaired.
Despite the damaging force of the storm, it did bring some much-needed drought relief to the region. The San Marcos Pass in Santa Barbara County saw the highest amount recorded from the storm in Central and Southern California with 5.24 inches.
Highway 1 near Ragged Point in northern San Luis Obispo County was closed temporarily Friday morning following a rock slide that covered the roadway. Cal Trans crews were able to clean up most of the debris by afternoon.
Here's a look at some other storm totals (in inches):
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY:
- 2.29 - Montecito Hills
- 2.20 - Santa Barbara
- 1.99 - Buellton
- 1.49 - Gaviota Coast
- 1.48 - Carpinteria
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY:
- 3.15 - Nipomo
- 3.09 - Las Tablas
- 3.11 - Cambria
- 2.37 - Santa Margarita
- 2.30 - Paso Robles
- 2.00 - Oceano
- 1.98 - Cal Poly SLO
- 1.93 - Morro Bay
- 1.91 - Pismo Beach