Weak weather system holds surprises and starts storm prep process
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - The unstable weather system coming through California has a mixed message but it has stirred some people into starting their preparations for the possible upcoming stormy conditions through the fall and winter.
The Santa Barbara waterfront in front of the landmark yacht club has had heavy equipment in the area over the last week moving sand into a defensive wall.
In the past storms have made it up the beach and into the harbor business area. The wall is the protection unless the area gets a series of fierce storms at high tide periods.
In Montecito, one resident said, she doesn't expect a bad winter, at least not so far.
"I live down the road here and I feel this area has already dealt with the big slide and most likely it won't happen again here," said Rachel Brighton.
One resident walking on the beach in Carpinteria, Emily Boespflug said, she expects to see the sand berm there soon. It protects condos and apartments right at the edge of the sand. "Yea you can see it in action so it is a good idea."
When the storms aren't whipped up the sand berms are used for other purposes by the area kids. "It's kind of fun. It is like a little playground for the kids and everything and everyone anticipates it. It is kind of like the equivalent to a little snow hill in town we have the little sandhill."
Earlier this week, the Santa Barbara County Public Works department said it's Flood Control Division was wrapping up weeks of work to clear out creaks and debris basins. The primary area was from Goleta to Carpinteria with a special emphasis on the runoff zones in the recent fire zones.
The updated flood maps will be out in early December.
