Full Notification

OFFICIALS ISSUE PRE-EVACUATION ADVISORY FOR BURN AREAS OF SANTA BARBARA COUNTY

Unstable Storm Expected in the Area Tuesday Night Through Thursday

A Pre-Evacuation Advisory has been issued for the Thomas, Sherpa, Whittier, and Alamo Fire burn areas due to an approaching winter storm forecasted for Tuesday night. This is the time to prepare you and your family for evacuation within the next 72 hours if you live near a burn area in Santa Barbara County.

The National Weather Service indicates that there is the potential for a prolonged period of moderate to heavy rainfall with this system, with highest rainfall intensities expected to occur sometime between late Tuesday night, March 20 and early Thursday, March 22. During this time, rainfall rates will likely exceed USGS thresholds, bring a threat of significant flash flooding and debris flows in recent burn areas. The forecast currently is indicating rainfall rates per hour of .50 to .75 inches. Peak 3 hour rates of 1.00 to 2.00 inches. Total rainfall could be 3.00 to 6.00 inches in the south facing foothills/mountains.

The County, emergency officials and the National Weather Service are closely monitoring the situation and will alert the public with more information as the storm approaches. Impact areas need to prepare for the possibility of an evacuation for Tuesday through Thursday.

If at any time during this storm, or any storm, anyone feels threatened, action should be taken to leave for high ground or a safe area. Do not wait for a notification. If an individual or family has access or functional needs, or has large animals to move, consider leaving well in advance. For more information on the risk please go to ReadySBC.org. To go directly to the Interactive Debris Flow Risk Areas map, visit ReadySBC.org/StormReadyMap. Please also standby for future updates.

In English:
Emergency Alert System:

It is critical that people in Santa Barbara County register to receive emergency alerts. Sign up at www.AwareAndPrepare.org.If we can’t reach you, we can’t alert you.

Stay Connected:

For ongoing updates, go to www.CountyofSB.org, follow @countyofsb on Twitter and Facebook, or call 2-1-1 from 805 area code or 800-400-1572 outside of 805, or text your zip code to 898-211.

En español:

Sistema de Alerta de Emergencia:

Es muy importante que las personas en el Condado de Santa Bárbara se registren para recibir alertas de emergencias. Inscríbete a www.AwareAndPrepare.org, si no podemos localizarte, no podemos alertarte. 

Permanece Conectado:

Para actualizaciones continuas, ve a www.CountyofSB.org, sigue @countyofsb en Twitter y Facebook o llama al 2-1-1 desde el código de área 805, o al 800-400-1572 para fuera del 805, o manda por texto tu código postal al 898-211.