Creek clearing underway well before first winter storms arrive

Santa Barbara County Public Works crews have been using heavy equipment and hand tools for months to clear out creeks in time for any kind of winter weather. The area is long over due for heavy rains.

A specially prepared video shows the work that takes place annually. The county has released it to the public. One worker, Raul Yescas says it is, “our regular maintenance work. It starts in March where they walk the creeks.”

The clearing involves small and large equipment. “We do chain saws walk everything out by hand. We use chippers. We are clearing a lot of stuff, vegetation from downed trees.. That could affect water flow and things going down the creek,” said Yescas.

Sand is available at several county locations for residents who want to create walls of bags to protect their properties.

The county says more than 20 sites have been checked and cleared out as part of an annual schedule.

Sand bags can be found at locations listed here:http://cosb.countyofsb.org/pwd/pwwater.aspx?id=2910