Montecito Fire Pre-Attack Support
Storm Impact Consideration Map - updated Dec. 2021
The Storm Impact Consideration Map was last updated in December 2021 and represents Montecito’s debris flow risk for the next several years. Areas at greatest risk of damage during a debris flow are shaded in red.
Properties outlined in red will be considered for evacuation if a saturation rainfall event occurs with a period of high intensity, short duration rainfall embedded. A saturation rainfall event is defined as approximately 8-10 inches of rain in 36-48 hours. A period of high intensity, short duration rain, such as a thunderstorm or microburst, that happens during the 36-48 hours of saturating rain, could trigger a debris flow.
The Storm Impact Consideration Map was created by Atkins Engineering, a consultant of the Montecito Fire Protection District. Atkins has produced all the debris flow risk maps for Montecito since the 1/9 Debris Flow. Atkins utilizes inputs from a local watershed biologist, Santa Barbara County Public Works and Flood Control, peer-reviewed debris flow science and topographical data to model debris flow risk during short duration, extremely high intensity rainfall. With that information, Atkins conducts aerial and ground surveys, along with computer modeling, to create the Storm Impact Consideration Map. Emergency managers utilize the Storm Impact Consideration Map to determine appropriate protective actions measures to keep our community safe.