Cleanup efforts in Santa Barbara underway before more rain arrives

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Creeks crested Sunday afternoon and residents held their breaths until the powerful atmospheric river calmed down.

Damage from gushing water, trees down and wind has been reported in many areas, but weather observers said the storm let up just in time to keep the impacts from the catastrophic level. It was just that close.

The Santa Barbara County Flood Control hydrological meters on creeks and key runoff corridors showed from about two inches of rain to seven inches of rain in a 24 hour period from Sunday to Monday.

The Santa Barbara Airport remained closed Monday morning after all services were stopped Sunday night. Airport officials said the runway was flooded. Creeks are around the airport that take in the drainage from the Goleta hills including San Marcos Pass which had some of the highest rainfall in the area.

Two boats crashed on the beach from a near shore anchorage area and efforts are underway with the owner to remove them.

Stearns Wharf, one the city's most visited locations, was closed Sunday. Vehicles and the public were allowed back to the wooden pier again Monday morning.

At Santa Barbara City College, mud was in the lower parking lot. A worker in heavy equipment was clearing the area while students and staff were off the campus for the day, and some were taking their classes remotely.

A large eucalyptus tree came down and hit the bridge across the SBCC campus on Loma Alta. The street was closed off Sunday.

(More details, photos and video will be added here later today)