Storm slams SLO County, causing widespread damage across the region

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. -- Monday's rainstorm slammed into San Luis Obispo County, causing widespread damage across the entire region.

As rain fell non-stop throughout the entire day, water levels rose to almost unimaginable levels.

In the coastal region, rain added up to three inches in many areas, while in others, totals reached higher than five to six inches.

"This is incredible," said Los Berro resident Tom Bruner, while watching the storm pound the Shell Beach shoreline. "We don't see it like this very often and I don't know if I have ever seen it this intense. I mean, this is coming down."

Numerous roadways are now flooded, including many in urban areas, such as Los Osos Valley Road in San Luis Obispo.

At the busy intersection of Los Osos Valley Road and Calle Joaquin, near Highway 101, the street sat under several feet of standing water.

Many rural roads are also underwater, especially some around San Luis Obispo Creek, between San Luis Obispo and Avila Beach.

Longtime resident Jim Williams said he witnessed a number of storm-related issues while traveling near his home along Buckley Road.

“I've watched folks drive by and run into the water and either flood their car or run off the road," said Williams. "This rain has been atrocious and the wind unbelievable. We've gotten some really high winds and you can see behind me the evidence."  

Highway 101 was shut down in the northbound lanes beginning mid-morning. Traffic heading north was detoured back onto the southbound lanes at Avila Beach Drive.

Later on, southbound Highway 101 was closed at Santa Rosa Road in Atascadero due to flooding.

Highway 1 was closed in both directions from Education Drive near Cuesta College to Yerba Buena Street in Morro Bay due to roadway flooding, while the southbound on-ramp to Highway 1 from Highway 41 near Morro Bay was also closed due to flooding.

A mudslide has also been reported on Noyes Road in rural Arroyo Grande. According to the California Highway Patrol website, the debris is covering most of the southbound lanes.

Also in Arroyo Grande, Valley Road is closed to Los Berros, with a detour routing traffic from Highway 1 to Halcyon.

Late Monday afternoon, the City of Arroyo Grande issued an evacuation order for south of the Arroyo Grande Creek Levee, which includes areas south of the creek channel and 1 mile west of Highway 1.

Residents who live in that area are urged to evacuate to higher ground immediately.