Central Coast storm subsides after some flooding, wrecks and closures

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - A Central Coast storm is leaving the region after minor flooding, several wrecks and some road closures.

In many instances the heavy rain sent some vehicles out of control, upside down, spinning into bushes and into center dividers.  Highway 101 has had multiple roll overs since Sunday morning in an area from the Gaviota curve to Montecito.
Several streets in Santa Barbara could not handle the downpours in some cases that were much stronger than many people expected.

Flooding from side to side on Calle Cesar Chavez brought out public works crews to do a street closure.  Barricades remained up Sunday afternoon into Monday morning, although the heaviest rain was done and the street drained off.At Mulberry and San Andres streets on the Westside a tree came down and with it some utility lines.

 Last minutes shoppers have not been held back by the weather.    Many geared up and headed out. So did a couple of tourists we found.

"We get our umbrella's and walk in the rain. We just love this weather - perfect," said  Christine Manzanec a visitor from Torrance.

Along the Montecito coast the storm surge pounded the shoreline.  It also brought out surfers to a favorite spot at Hammonds Beach.

It was a typical California storm in many ways,  and a fraction of what those back east , visiting here,  see.

"When I left it was 19 degrees and we had a snow squal," said  Susan Leonard while walking with some friends on the coastline.  She comes every year.  "I love Santa Barbara.  Every holiday season  I'm lucky!"

For those who didn't want to go outside during the wet weather, "we pretty much enjoyed champagne in our room and watched the rain come through the windows," said Manzanec. 

As the rain started to subside, the Montecito area creeks,  which understandably  make residents nervous in bigger storms these days, held up well.

No debris,  over the side spilling, or unusual runoff  has been reported.