Author: Lea Boyd

City contractors have been working diligently to rebuild the winter berm at City Beach after last week’s storms and high tides took a toll on the protective structure. Heavy surf caused significant erosion to the sand berm, and the bulldozer crew has been restoring the sand barrier when conditions allow. Tides will be less extreme during the storm system hitting today and tomorrow, which should reduce the impact on the berm. Nonetheless, residents in the beach neighborhood, as well as anyone accessing the coastline, should practice caution and remain vigilant during the heavy storms on Jan. 9 and 10.

An EVACUATION WARNING has been issued for identified properties and areas in south Santa Barbara County associated with the Alisal, Cave and Thomas Fires. This EVACUATION WARNING is due to an incoming storm Monday, January 9 through Tuesday, January 10 with the potential to produce flooding and debris flows.

To access the Santa Barbara County 2023 January Winter Storm Incident Map, visit https://sbcoem.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=e98dda048c7d45059a33f66e41fa0081

The EVACUATION WARNING may be upgraded to an Evacuation Order unless there are significant changes to the weather forecast.

Learn more and register for alerts, visit readysbc.org

From Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Management: Heavy rain is expected countywide Monday, January 9 through Tuesday, January 10, 2023. The heaviest rainfall is expected in south Santa Barbara County including the Alisal, Cave, and Thomas Fire areas.

Damaging winds could blow down large objects such as trees and outdoor furniture. Unplanned power outages are possible. Beaches, Bluffs and the Harbor area may be impacted by dangerous surf, winds and flooding.

Current forecasts indicate this storm may cause significant flooding countywide. If you are concerned that this storm may cause unsafe conditions to your home, leave the area before rain starts. Do not wait for an official evacuation notification to leave.

Residents should remain vigilant as conditions can change quickly. Residents are encouraged to:

• MONITOR the weather
• PLAN on how to get out and where you might go
• PREPARE and PROTECT your home

During Rain:

• If you feel unsafe during the rainfall, shelter in place in your home by gathering your family and pets in the inner most room of your house, preferably on the top floor if you live in a multi-story home.
• Do not attempt to drive at night or while it is raining, as roads may be damaged or your car may be swept away by moving water or debris.

Public safety officials are keeping a close eye on the incoming storm and working with the National Weather Service. Officials will continue to work together to further assess if protective actions, such as an evacuation warning, evacuation order, or shelter in place are necessary.

For more information on how to prepare for and stay safe during winter storms and flooding, visit https://www.readysbc.org/576/Storm-Readiness

The Carpinteria City Council will hold its next regular meeting on Monday, Jan. 9 at 5:30 p.m. In accordance with State guidance, the City will provide both in-person and virtual attendance and participation options for the meeting.

Members of the public may attend the meeting at City Hall, 5775 Carpinteria Ave. or view the meeting live at www.carpinteria.ca.us, on Government Access Television Channel 21 or by logging into the Zoom webinar.

The following topics are highlights of the agenda. Additional details and numerous ways for the public to provide comments can be found at https://bit.ly/3IvlbXz.

• Proclamation Designating January 2023 as Human Trafficking Awareness Month.
• Proclamation Designating Jan. 19, 2023 as E-Bike Safety Awareness Day in the City of Carpinteria.
• Code Compliance Quarterly Report for the final quarter of 2022.
• Continuance of the off-leash dog park program at El Carro Park.
• Update of electrical grid reliability, renewable energy procurement, and building electrification.
• Selection of City Council representatives for Regional Agencies and Committees, City Council Joint and Standing Committees, and Ad Hoc Committees.
• Selection of interview questions for City boards, committees and commissions.
• Rescheduling a special meeting of the City Council for consideration of the Annual Work Plan from Jan. 28 to Feb. 4, 2023.

Santa Barbara County has announced that the Evacuation Order for the identified properties/parcels within the Alisal/Thomas (SBC)/Cave storm evacuation areas has been CANCELED as of 9:30 a.m. on Jan. 5. The National Weather Service has advised that the heaviest rains and high winds associated with the current storm have passed. Although showers and short duration thunderstorms may produce short, heavy downpours rainfall is not predicted to reach critical levels to cause flooding or debris flows.

• Stay alert to changing conditions and remain vigilant. If you feel threatened at any time, leave immediately. DO NOT wait for an alert to evacuate.
• Take caution when returning home. Heavy rainfall may have resulted in movement of debris and road flooding. Expect flooding, slick roads, and debris in the area.
• Be aware that response crews are continuing clean-up, repair efforts, and assessments.
• For more information visit www.ReadySBC.org

An immediate EVACUATION ORDER has been issued due to an incoming storm Wednesday, Jan. 4, at 10 p.m., with the potential to produce flooding and mud and debris flows. This EVACUATION ORDER is effective Immediately and applies to the identified properties and parcels in and around the Alisal, Thomas, and Cave Fire burn scars. In the City of Carpinteria, the evacuation applies to three parcels adjacent to Carpinteria Creek near the entrance to the Concha Loma neighborhood. Several Carpinteria Valley properties located in unincorporated Santa Barbara County are also identified for evacuation, and these include some parcels along Gobernador Creek, Rincon Creek, and others. Please use the interactive map at readysbc.org to determine whether your home is under evacuation order. Additionally, residents may call the SB County Emergency Operations Center at (833) 688-5551 or 2-1-1 for more information. If you need assistance with animal evacuations, call 805-681-4332.

Residents are welcome to come to City Hall to fill up to 20 free sand bags to help protect their property from the storm system that is expected to peak in intensity late tonight, Jan. 4. Sand bags and sand are available now at the Public Works yard at City Hall, 5775 Carpinteria Ave.

The storms arriving today, Jan. 4, and extending through tomorrow are expected to bring heavy rain and high surf. Please beware of the potential for severe erosion of Carpinteria Beach during the the storms. The beachfront may be susceptible to localized flooding, especially during high tides and high surf. Though the berm is intended to protect from most winter storms, it may not provide adequate protection should high tides and winter surf conditions continue. Flooding could occur at any time, but it is most likely during the high tides when there is a potential for ocean waves to overtop the winter sand berm and cause flooding.

To protect the public from possible flash flooding, the Carpinteria Creek bike path is now closed. Heavy rains are predicted to begin on Wednesday, Jan. 4 and continue through the morning of Thursday, Jan. 5. The bike path, which connects Via Real and Carpinteria Avenue, will reopen when the danger of flooding has subsided.