Several rain-related incidents in North Santa Barbara, SLO counties

There were several rain-related incidents in North Santa Barbara County and San Luis Obispo County Friday morning.

Major flooding just outside of Santa Maria city limits has closed Telephone Road between Betteravia and Prell Road.

The intersection of Bradley Road and Foster Road in Orcutt, next to Righetti and St. Joseph High Schools, flooded from morning rain – causing a real estate business parking lot to flood about several inches.

(Courtney Sims – Orcutt) “On my way back to the office from lunch and we had a bunch of hard rain earlier and got here this morning even and the parking lots just a little backed up,” driver Courtney Sims said.

Courtney Sims says it gets backed up like this every time it rains.

“The drain just can’t keep up over there so hopefully it’ll let up a little bit and that way it can catch up a little bit and go down,” Sims said.

On Highway 101 through Nipomo, a car drove off the road into an embankment. A tow truck was able to successfully tow it out.

In south Arroyo Grande, the Arroyo Grande creek was roaring, residents telling us this is the first time it’s seen water in about four years.

“This rain, this particular time, it’s been 11 years since we’ve had this much rain and to see the culverts which are about 50 yards down the way flowing the way they are and all the rain flowing from Arroyo Grande High School, it’s something different,” Arroyo Grande resident Randy Spoeneman said.

Spoeneman loves the rain so much, he’s been thinking about a move.

“In fact I keep telling my wife, I’d like to move up to Washington,” Spoeneman said.

And his wife’s feelings on that…

“She says no way, we’re going to stay here,” Spoeneman said.

Residents along the central coast are encouraged to take all necessary steps to protect their property. The City of Lompoc has established a Community Sand Pile at JM Park at Chestnut Avenue and A Street. Citizens will need to bring their own sand bags and shovel and are asked to limit the number of bags filled to ten.

A list of sandbag locations in Santa Barbara County can be found here .

Sandbag locations in San Luis Obispo County can be found here .