Rain continues to cycle through Santa Barbara but not enough to raise lake levels, yet

The recent wave of rain has been enough to soak the local soil, but not enough to saturate the hills and create a runoff. Without that big new flow of fresh water, the main water source for southern Santa Barbara County, Cachuma Lake, is going to be a serious concern.

Saturday night a large, but quick downpour with intense rain, hail and lightning came through but it was not around long.

Sunday moderate rain lasted about three hours starting at 11 p.m. and then it drizzled the rest of the morning.

Cachuma is about 91 percent below its capacity reached in 2011.

Tough water rules are in place in Santa Barbara now including a ban on lawn watering. Fortunately that is being solved by occasional rain, and watering is not necessary right now. Conservation goals have been elevated to 40 percent.

Mission Creek has come alive with a small flow through Oak Park.

El Capitan Beach Park had a solid flow in its creek from the area of the Sherpa Fire last year but no muddy problems have come over the banks.

A visitor from Virginia who has watched the locals react to rain said at her home there a big blast of snow to deal with. That’s why a little California rain is welcomed in her life.

“It’s gorgeous. It is snowing back home I have photos of six inches of snow. I really enjoying this weather right now. Rain doesn’t bother me,” said Hannah Carpenter.

The morning commute had a three car accident in Carpinteria without a major injury.

Up the road, a sedan was spotted over the side at Milpas Street but it appeared as if the vehicle had been in the brush since last night. The driver was not around.