The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Advisory for Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties.
Doppler radar has indicated increasing coverage and intense rainfall across the Central Coast.
The heaviest rainfall so far has been near Lompoc and Vandenberg Air Force Base where automated rain gauges have observed rainfall rates between .75 and .90 inches in a 30 minute period.
Rainfall rates elsewhere have been between .25-.50 inch per hour.
Local rates near thunderstorms could be up to one inch per hour.
The heavy rain is anticipated to cause roadway and small stream flooding.
Some locations that could experience flooding include: Santa Maria, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Lompoc, Paso Robles, Morro Bay, Pismo Beach, Montecito, Santa Ynez, Atascadero, Arroyo Grande, Nipomo, Carpinteria, Cambria, Solvang, Vandenberg Air Force Base, Orcutt and Los Alamos.
Precautionary/Preparedness Actions include:
- Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.
- Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the
dangers of flooding.
- Excessive runoff from heavy rainfall will cause flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as other drainage areas and low lying spots.
