City rangers prepare for weekend rainstorm in Santa Maria
SANTA MARIA, Calif. – Rain is impacting people in different ways throughout the region.
The rain has posed safety concerns across Santa Barbara and SLO counties.
Santa Maria city rangers said the riverbed is currently closed to the public.
City ranger Ruben Ramirez of the City of Santa Maria said the main concern is people getting trapped in the riverbed.
Crews spent the last 24 hours urging transients in the area to visit the Freedom Warming Center for their safety.
Residents in SLO county are dealing with a whole set of other challenges from the rain.
Residents at the Pacific Dunes Ranch were advised to evacuate Friday morning.
Almost a dozen families turned to the Pismo Sand RV Resort for their safety.
"Controlled breaking the levy. We need to evacuate before that occurs," said resident Stephanie Simpson of Pacific Dunes Ranch.
"My hope is everybody gets out safe and everybody can get to dry land," said general manager Christina Eggman of Pismo Sands R Resort.
"We’re hoping for people not to come in to the riverbed or access the levy for their protection," said city ranger Ruben Ramirez of the City of Santa Maria.
City rangers are also monitoring the water basin in Santa Maria.
The storm is expected to continue into the weekend across the region.
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