Incoming storm targets some areas with historical problems in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties
CARPINTERIA, Calif. – The strength winding up in the next phase of a five-day weather pattern looks to be targeting southern Santa Barbara County and Ventura County.
Rain will be widespread over the Central Coast, but some areas will take in a larger accumulation of rain, if the predictions holdup.
Some areas of concern include the La Conchita hills which have had deadly slides in the past, areas of Highway 33 in and around Ojai, and Highway 101 between Carpinteria and Montecito.
Getting ahead of the heaviest rain, signs warning of the potential for flooding have already gone up on the freeway and parts of the agricultural areas of the Carpinteria Valley.
Heavy wind will also be a factor, an that tends to shred eucalyptus trees, spreading branches into the roadways.
Drivers will likely encounter several areas with flooding and that can happen not just with a steady downpour but also when drains unexpectedly clog up. That's happened in the past on Highway 101 in the construction zone.
Most creeks and debris basins have been fully cleared out by the Santa Barbara County Public Works Department prior to this weather system.
Many homeowners who want to divert runoff water, have laid out a wall of sandbags which are available in many city and county sites with a 20-bag limit.
During the day many people in Carpinteria were getting in some exercise before the rain arrived.
"I got a flash warning until Friday so we know we are going to be cooped up inside, " said Joe Lopez. He was with Sarah Roza who said, "trying to get out before the rain hits for sure. We were walking around Santa Barbara yesterday when it was drizzling but today it is going to be kind of pouring."
Nearby Mitch Leichter said a walk was important to his day. "Just in case. I have my umbrella. I have my jacket.  It's too beautiful here not to walk  and to sit home and say I think it is going to rain, no. You gotta go for it ya know so you walk. You just have to feel the air. It's only rain.  You get wet, you get wet it's OK!"
(More details, video and photos will be added here later today.)
