Flash Flood Warnings Issued, Highway 101 Shut Down Near Goleta Due to Mudslides
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. - Heavy rain Saturday morning led to flash flood warnings across a large stretch of Santa Barbara County and caused a debris flow that shut down Highway 101 near Goleta.
The National Weather Service issued flash flood warnings for Lompoc, Solvang, Goleta, Isla Vista, Santa Barbara, Carpinteria and the Gaviota Coast. A flash flood warning means flooding is occurring or imminent. ReadySBC.org sent out emergency alerts via text and phone call to residents affected by the warning. The National Weather Service warned of substantial road flooding and to stay away from creeks and canyons.
The torrential rain caused a series of mudslides that shut down Highway 101 in both directions, according to CalTrans District 5.
Northbound drivers are being directed off at Winchester Canyon near Goleta. Highway 154 remained open as an alternate route, per California Highway Patrol.
The southbound side of Highway 101 reopened to one lane for five miles from Mariposa Reina south of Gaviota to the Vista Point, and both lanes from south of the Vista Point as of 5:00 p.m. Saturday, according to CalTrans.
Northbound lanes of the 101 opened just after 7:30 a.m. Sunday once crews cleared debris, according to CalTrans.
