United States: Evacuation orders lifted in Santa Barbara county March 2 /update 1

Event

Mandatory evacuation orders were lifted for up to 30,000 people threatened by a storm in fire-ravaged areas of Santa Barbara county around 09:00 (local time) on Friday, March 2. According to local authorities, the storm, which brought rainfall rates of around 1.5 cm (0.6) per hour, had "minimal impact" in Santa Barbara county, causing no significant damages to infrastructure and utilities, including electricity, gas, or water networks. Minor flooding was reported on roads in the area, notably including on State Route 192; however, US-101 remained open.

A voluntary evacuation order was also lifted in neighboring Ventura county on Friday. Officials from the California Highway Patrol, however, did report on Friday morning that a debris flow closed State Route 33 north of Ojai (Ventura county); the highway was reopened hours later. More rain is forecast in Santa Barbara county, Ventura county, and in surrounding areas of Southern California through Saturday, March 3. Lingering transportation disruptions are expected in the affected areas in the coming hours.

Context

A series of wildfires ravaged Southern California between October and December 2017. Subsequent rainfall prompted mudslides that left at least 21 people dead in Santa Barbara county. Areas burned by the forest fires are vulnerable to flash flooding and landslides due to the inability of burned soil to absorb rainfall and the lack of living vegetation to prevent erosion.

Advice

Individuals in the affected areas of Southern California are advised to monitor local weather forecasts, adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities, and anticipate lingering localized transportation delays.