Light Rain Arrives Ahead of Central Coast Storm

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — Dog walkers didn’t let a little rain get in their way.

Ian Macintosh walked his dog, Enzo, through the drizzle. Macintosh wore a ski jacket, while Enzo sported a yellow raincoat.

“The dog raincoat is because my wife got him a dog raincoat—not because I got him a dog raincoat. He likes it, apparently, and it is easier to clean him,” Macintosh said.

Macintosh, his wife, and their dog are visiting from Canada and staying at a dog-friendly hotel near Pershing Park.

At the corner of the park near the bandstand, the nonprofit Adams Angels handed out raincoats, rain boots, nonperishable food, and sleeping bags to those in need while supplies lasted.

Other parks, including Lower Manning in Montecito, have a do-it-yourself sandbagging area set up.

Abe Powell of the Bucket Brigade said teens came out and filled dozens of bags for people who drove up. Others got out and filled their own.

Fire departments dropped off the sand and burlap bags, and there are still plenty left.

Powell said the free burlap actually costs $1—twice as much as the white plastic bags—but it doesn’t shed microplastics and can be used repeatedly.

Kelly Hubbard, director of the Office of Emergency Management, said Tuesday that the heaviest rain is likely to fall Thursday morning and afternoon.

Still, the rain won’t put a damper on Valentine’s Day sales.

Armando Alfaro has a tent protecting his bouquets and gift baskets along Castillo Street near the gas station. He plans to sell gifts and fresh flowers through Friday, rain or shine.

Santa Barbara County Fire wants to warn drivers about hazardous road conditions.

One car ran off the road during slippery conditions on the southbound side of U.S. 101 in Carpinteria on Tuesday afternoon.

Santa Barbara County Fire Public Information Officer Scott Safechuck shared safety tips on social media, including avoiding driving through flooded roads, slowing down and leaving extra space between cars, staying aware of potential mudslides and debris flow areas, and clearing gutters and storm drains to reduce flooding risk.

Speaking of cars, the Bucket Brigade’s truck broke down and is headed to a shop for repairs, while Adams Angels’ truck wore out.

The nonprofit is working to raise money for a used one.

For more information about both nonprofits, visit sbbucketbrigade.org and adamsangels-sb.org.