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Santa Barbara County Faces Flood Watch Amid Storms

1/2/2026

36 9 Full Breakdown

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Santa Barbara Flood Watch

Santa Barbara County is under a flood watch through Thursday night, with 1-2 inches of rain forecast and warming shelters activated.
Saturated soil raises the risk of downed trees and mudslides.
A second storm is expected this weekend to bring 2-4 inches of rain, with higher totals in foothills.
Coastal areas face hazardous conditions, including dangerous rip currents and high tides.

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Newsom Prepares Emergency

Southern California faces a new storm entering the New Year after a week of heavy rainfall that caused flooding.
Governor Gavin Newsom announced pre-positioning of emergency crews in high-risk areas near burn scars.
Rainfall is forecast at 1 to 5.5 inches, with evacuation warnings for burn zones starting Wednesday and advisories to stay off roads.
The Rose Parade could be disrupted, marking the first rain at the event since 2006.

History

Historical Context

Southern California has faced severe flooding historically, notably in 2005 when heavy rainfall caused over $100 million in damages. This pattern continued with significant storms in 2017, which resulted in $1.55 billion in damages statewide. Today, Governor Gavin Newsom's emergency response to current storms highlights ongoing vulnerabilities, emphasizing the need for improved infrastructure and disaster preparedness in the region.

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Santa Barbara Flood Watch

Santa Barbara County is under a flood watch through Thursday night, with 1-2 inches of rain forecast and warming shelters activated.
Saturated soil raises the risk of downed trees and mudslides.
A second storm is expected this weekend to bring 2-4 inches of rain, with higher totals in foothills.
Coastal areas face hazardous conditions, including dangerous rip currents and high tides.

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