Light rain passing through in front of a larger storm Monday
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - The light splash of rain coming through the Central Coast is expected to be uneventful but it will give residents time to fortify their properties before a stronger storm Monday.
The rain gently fell in Goleta and Santa Barbara about 8 a.m. and has picked up a small amount of energy through the mid day.
By Thursday, the skies will clear out with warming patterns through the weekend.
Monday, a period of rain arrives and is expected to throttle its way through the first part of the week. At times there will be some strong impulses.
At the Lotus Boutique on the corner of Chapala Street and Ortega the owner and staff are getting set with sand bags nearby. "The plan is we get prepared, we put about three on each door ," said Oakley Davis out front. "We get a roll up plastic wrap if we need to, or some type of weather proofing and we line it up and tape it and lock the doors and hope for the best. "
During big storms water can come over the curb and cars going by make it even worse with the splashing.
They have seen two to three feet of water inside in prior storms and are now preventing that from happening again.
I saves the store from dealing with the loss of any of their women's and men's clothing items.
Now they are on display racks that keep them at least a couple of feet off the floor in case water gets in.
"Yes, because we have dealt with this for so long. We're kind of prepped in that way where we know to move the mannequins back and, take extra precaution. So that way it doesn't happen."
This store is closed on Mondays when the next storm is coming and that will also ease the concerns here if they have a sand bag barricade.
This weather system came in pulses it eased up for those who needed to go out.
Along Hendry's Beach a dog walker was out during a lighter period or rain to give her group of dogs time to exercise.
Everywhere else it was soggy for anyone getting around but not a day of big delays or downpours.
For one man who is living in a shelter and uses a mobility scooter he can handle a little rain but not a lot.
Oscar Pereyra said his scooter goes "downhill , five miles (per hour) , but it goes three or four and a half. I have to because I can't get it wet I will burn it out, it's all electrical. "
Sometimes he has to seek a quick shelter. "I go into places, I can go under a tarp or buildings. I know them. I have a good friend that has a shop and (I can) stay warm and watch TV. "
One person was walking in her shark outfit, which really wasn't for the rain but it was just right for today.
Angel Mendoza is a student at Santa Barbara City College. "It's onesie, and rain gear. I don't have a really good sweater for the rain so it looks warm.
The National Weather Service will have a defined view of how much rain and where it will primarily hit as we move closer to the weekend. Currently it is expected to drop just over one inch of rain, not enough for any serious flooding.
Some of the coastal sand berms are still up for protection including on the Santa Barbara waterfront by the Yacht Club and Leadbetter Beach.
(more details will be added here later today.)
