California's first major storm of the season brought a flash flood warning to the Santa Barbara coast in the early hours of Thursday, October 22. The National Weather Service office in Los Angeles/Oxnard issued the warning at 12:11 a.m. PDT, running until 2:00 a.m. PDT, for flash flooding caused by showers and thunderstorms, with rock slides and mud slides also possible.

Source: National Weather Service via GovOneStop

The locations named in the warning were Santa Barbara, Montecito, Carpinteria, Summerland, Goleta, Mission Canyon, Hope Ranch, Old Man Mountain and Highway 154 over San Marcos Pass. The Weather Service said flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses was expected, and told drivers: turn around, don't drown — most flood deaths occur in vehicles.

Source: National Weather Service via GovOneStop

1 to 2 inches an hour, burn-scar risk — and no injuries reported

Law enforcement reported flash flooding in the county, and the Weather Service warned of rainfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour, with minor debris flows possible near the Lake and Gifford fire burn areas, according to KEYT and Noozhawk reporting summarised in Orbis Weather's October 22 daily report. No evacuation orders had been issued as of Wednesday night and no injuries were reported.

Source: Orbis Weather daily report (KEYT / Noozhawk)

By 12:11 a.m., radar showed most showers and thunderstorms had moved north and east of the warned area, but the Weather Service said flash flooding would likely continue for at least the next few hours and further showers, rock slides and mud slides were possible, especially around mountain and foothill roadways.

Source: National Weather Service via GovOneStop

What to watch

The warning itself has expired, but saturated ground and burn scars keep debris-flow risk alive in the hills above Santa Barbara. Check NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard and local alerts before using Highway 154 or canyon roads.

What is solid

  • NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard flash flood warning issued 12:11 a.m. PDT Oct 22 until 2:00 a.m. PDT, naming Santa Barbara, Montecito, Carpinteria, Summerland, Goleta and Highway 154 (NWS via GovOneStop)
  • Rainfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour and law-enforcement-reported flash flooding (KEYT/Noozhawk via Orbis Weather)
  • No evacuation orders and no injuries reported as of Wednesday night (Noozhawk via Orbis Weather)

What is only claimed

  • Whether any later debris flows or road closures followed overnight — no confirmed closure was reported in the sources used here