Matilija Canyon isolated by recent heavy rains, residents rely on Sheriffs helicopters to leave

VENTURA COUNTY, Calif. – Ventura County's Matilija Canyon received 17 inches of rain on Jan. 9 that resulted in piles of rock and mud reaching over 40 feet in some locations, blocking all access and isolating the community.

Ventura County Sheriff Aviation Unit and Tactical Response Team was tasked with helping the canyon community and to date, has made over ten helicopter flights and evacuated over 70 residents by air.

Matilija Canyon is a remote wooded canyon within the Los Padres National Forest, about three miles north of Ojai.

Despite the proximity to Ojai, that amount of rainfall that quickly made leaving the area by car a dangerous decision.

Jan. 9 was only part of the heavy rainfall recently and repeated storms have compounded the difficulty in reaching Matilija and the people still there.

Ventura County Public Works estimates it may still take up to three weeks to clear a single-lane access road into the area and up to six months to complete necessary repairs.

The dramatic air-based evacuation is only a part of the impact for residents as they wait for the opportunity to return to their homes.

Evacuated residents can meet with Sheriff Emergency Services and the Ventura County Human Services Agency to determine what assistance they might need.

Ventura County Sheriffs noted that many chose to decline assistance and stay with nearby family and friends.

The Ventura County Sheriff's Office of Emergency Services remain available for evacuation assistance and can be reached at 805-947-8210.