Strong Winds, Downed Trees Leave a Mark During Current Storm Wave
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) - A delayed blast of rain and wind for areas south of Goleta and Santa Barbara ended up packing a strong Monday morning punch when if finally arrived.
The anticipated surge before dawn went north and soaked areas from Lompoc to Atascadero until more of the storm's flow came up into areas around Santa Barbara with some fast and heavy downpours.
It was all linked to a counter clockwise rotation of rain coming in from a low pressure system that was spotted days ago heading to California with impressive rain and snow forecasts.
By mid-morning trees snapped around Cathedrals Oaks and Fairview in Goleta and one large Eucalyptus ended up blocking lanes.
Another tree was down on San Leandro Lane requiring a response from the Montecito Fire Protection District to clean a path for residents there.
The Forestry Crew in the City of Santa Barbara had a large task at East Beach near the volleyball courts with a large tree that fell and covered the lanes. Vehicles did not have an easy detour from the coastal street until the tree was carved up and pushed out of the way.
It was hauled out in multiple dumpster loads.
Walking with her two girls, Amanda Benenati said the rain was an outing on a day off from school. "They asked to come here.  They know it's fun to come here in the rain. (It's) not the first time. " Not the first time. "
From the breakwater wall Nick Butler said it was a nice walk going out but then it started to rain harder. "Nobody ever talks about the time they stayed inside during the rain. They talk about the time they got caught on the breakwater without a jacket, " he said laughing.
With him was Madison Smoak who also had only a wet sweater. "I was not dressed for this event no but it's beautiful."
After two vessels were tossed up on the sand in the last round of rough seas, so far, no boats have hit the Santa Barbara Shores. Some were getting tossed around and turned sideways with the wind-pushed swells.
Marborg Industries removed the last two beached boats late last week as part of an emergency effort to clear them out before this storm. If that was not done, and with the strength from these ways the vessels would have likely hit the rocks and pieces would have gone in all directions.
Commuters were light in the morning hours, due to the President's Day holiday. Once the heavier rains started, there were crashes northbound at Santa Monica Road in Carpinteria and south at Sheffield where there was a two car spinout.
Later in the afternoon a pickup truck spun around into a concrete pillar on Highway 101 southbound at Patterson Ave. Three occupants were inside. Santa Barbara County Fire said, injuries were reported.
(More details, photos and video will be added here later today.)
