Rain storm hits burn areas hard and leaves fast

Refugio Creek barely got a flow going from the Friday morning downpour powered by thunderstorm activity with some big bursts in Southern Santa Barbara County.

No roads were washed over and no problems were reported.

For people living near creeks throughout the area, they were on the lookout after the encouraging rain forecast.

Greg Roberts thought he would wake up to see Mission Creek by his house moving. “I thought it was going to be rippin’ this morning,” he said. While eating lunch in the sun he said the level was not where he expected. “Not up to the top or anything but I thought I would see brown water rushing down, but nothing.”

The burn areas were a serious concern where the Rey, Bar and Scherpa fires tore through the hillsides earlier this year, mainly along the Refugio coastline.

Big rain storms can mean a mud or debris flow, clogged creeks and canyons. Everything in that area held together. Nearby agriculture including citrus trees got a nice washing and no doubt this will help the farmers.

Ken Palmer said the thunder scared his girlfriend’s Jack Russell Terrier.

“She just comforted him. He didn’t calm down. He was shaking for hours.”

Lee Howland came from the East Coast. Comparing the two she said, “Well you have rain unbeatable rain. We are not used to that kind of rain. We have Nor-easterners there and hurricanes. It could be big time”

By mid-morning it was sunshine at tee time for Sandpiper Golf course on the western end of the Goleta Valley, where they got a good soaking in the Goodland.