OFFICIALS MONITORING STORM SYSTEM APPROACHING SANTA BARBARA COUNTY

The National Weather Service and County and emergency agencies are monitoring a storm system heading toward Santa Barbara County. Precipitation is expected to begin Friday afternoon, April 6, starting in northern portions of the county, and continue through Saturday afternoon. Gusty northwest winds of 20 to 30 miles per hour with gusts to 40 mph in isolated areas can be expected starting this afternoon through tomorrow morning.

At present, the National Weather Service is reporting an expected maximum rainfall of approximately 0.10 to 0.33 inches total for the Santa Barbara County area. The expected maximum rainfall does not meet threshold levels for evacuations and there is no to a very low risk for mud and debris flows.

Emergency officials are actively monitoring the storm and will take the steps necessary to inform the public if the storm increases in intensity. However, residents and businesses should monitor weather reports. For weather updates, visit www.weather.gov and enter a city or zip code for local forecasts. Residents are encouraged to have emergency kits prepared in the event of a power outage. For storm readiness tips, visit www.ReadySBC.org. In Spanish, go to www.ReadySBC.org/es.