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Santa Barbara County officials report limited damage after November storms, urge vigilance
Summary
County emergency managers and public works officials told the Board of Supervisors that crews responded quickly after a mid-November storm system, reporting localized flooding and debris but no major county-road damage or known storm-related injuries. Officials urged residents to sign up for ReadySBC alerts and take bluff-safety precautions as more rain is forecast.
Emergency managers, public works crews and county fire officials summarized storm impacts for the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors on Nov. 18, saying coordinated response limited damage and no storm-related injuries were reported.
"County OEM has been tracking the storm system since early last week," Emergency Manager JD Saucedo told the board, noting close coordination with the National Weather Service and local partners and the county's dedicated storm information webpage at readysbc.org. Saucedo urged residents to register for ReadySBC emergency alerts.
Public Works Director Chris Neddon gave rainfall totals across the county and said crews cleared downed trees, rocks and small slides during the storm weekend. "In the city of Santa Barbara, it was the wettest start in the past hundred and 27 years," Neddon said, outlining localized flooding but no major damage to county roadways. He said reservoir levels returned to near pre‑storm conditions and crews worked with Caltrans and fire agencies throughout the weekend.
Deputy Chief Anthony Stornetta of County Fire said the department saw stranded vehicles and isolated flooding in Santa Barbara, Montecito and Carpinteria and reported no known injuries after consulting operations-area partners. "There were no injuries that I know of," he said, and described on‑the‑ground reconnaissance in fire-affected mountain drainages.
Under Sheriff Craig Bonner and other public-safety officials stressed continued monitoring and public messaging. Bonner said the department has been evaluating saturated soils and other post‑storm hazards, including unstable bluff areas, and will coordinate public information campaigns on bluff safety.
Board members thanked first responders and encouraged residents to stay prepared: the county continues to post updates in English and Spanish at readysbc.org and to push safety reminders about not driving into floodwaters and keeping distance from bluff edges.
The county said forecasts still show potential additional light rainfall later in the week and asked residents to remain alert and to check ReadySBC for updates.
