Evacuation Order for identified properties in Montecito & Thomas Fire burn area effective 8 A.M. March 14

By Christina Atchison

Mar 14, 2023 at 02:42 AM

Montecito Fire shares the following information in coordination with the County of Santa Barbara:

(SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, CA.) – An EVACUATION WARNING has been issued effective Monday, March 13 at 6 p.m. and will be upgraded to an EVACUATION ORDER effective as of 8 a.m. Tuesday, March 14 for the identified properties and parcels in the following Santa Barbara County south coast burn scar areas due to threats to life and safety caused by the incoming storm:

ALISAL FIRE BURN SCAR (see map for details)
CAVE FIRE BURN SCAR (see map for details)
THOMAS FIRE BURN SCAR IN SANTA BARBARA COUNTY (see map for details)

All areas impacted in the previous storms should remain vigilant. The Sisquoc, Garey, Tepusquet and Foxen Canyons areas in north Santa Barbara County are areas of concern. Residents in these areas may become isolated due to flooding and should be prepared to stay in place and self-sustain.

Please call the American Red Cross at 805-678-3073 if you need assistance with sheltering tonight, March 13, 2023.

Santa Barbara County 2023 March Winter Storm Incident Map

Areas that are under evacuation warning and additional areas of concern are highlighted in the Santa Barbara County 2023 March Winter Storm Incident Map.

Type in your address to see if your property falls within the highlighted areas. If so, prepare now to evacuate before the heaviest rain arrives or stay in place.

In response to the Evacuation Warning, community members are asked to:

Prepare to leave: fill gas tank, load up important documents, essential items, etc.
LEAVE if you feel unsafe. DO NOT wait for an evacuation order.
People with disabilities, access and functional needs should LEAVE NOW.
People with large animals should LEAVE NOW.
DO NOT attempt to drive while it is dark or raining, as roads may be damaged or your car may be swept away by moving water or debris.
BE PREPARED to sustain yourself and your household for multiple days if you choose not to evacuate, as you may not be able to leave the area and emergency responders may not be able to access your property in the event of road damage, flooding, or a debris flow.

According to the National Weather Service, rainfall is anticipated to start Monday night and remain consistent through Wednesday morning. A Flood Watch is in effect countywide beginning at 7 a.m., March 14 through 5 a.m., March 15. Coasts and valleys are expected to get 2 – 5 inches of rain, while foothills and mountains can expect to receive 4 – 8 inches of rain to the already saturated watershed. This storm will bring a high threat of dangerous flooding of roads, creeks, and streams. Roads may become impassable due to flooding or flood damage.

Additionally, the following storm resources are available:

For assistance with animal evacuations, please contact Santa Barbara County Animal Services at (805) 681-4332.
For status of highways, visit Caltrans: https://roads.dot.ca.gov/roadscell.php
For status of county roadways, visit County Public Works: https://www.countyofsb.org/2116/Road-Closures

For additional information regarding evacuation shelters, weather conditions and more:

Contact the Santa Barbara County Call Center at (833) 688-5551, open from 7:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 14.
Visit https://www.readysbc.org/.

REGISTER TO RECEIVE ReadySBC ALERTS: If you haven’t registered for emergency alerts, register now at ReadySBC.org. Receive local emergency alerts via text, phone call, and email.

Posted in Press Releases.