Santa Barbara County is monitoring over 35 properties on Del Playa Drive ahead of forecasted heavy rain from tonight until Friday.
Over 30 properties are on a Santa Barbara County storm watch-list ahead of heavy rains from Wednesday to Friday. Dustin Harris / Daily Nexus
A winter storm will hit the county on Wednesday night, and significant heavy rain is forecasted through Thursday and Friday, according to the National Weather Service. There will also be daytime high tides in excess of five feet.
Because of the combination of heavy rain and high tides, there is potential for bluff erosion, according to the county.
The Santa Barbara County (SBC) Planning and Development Department notified 37 properties because they are at risk of bluff failure, or have experienced a previous bluff failure.
The county is monitoring the following properties on Del Playa road: 6503, 6653, 6741, 6529, 6663, 6743, 6531, 6671, 6745, 6549, 6681, 6747, 6555, 6685, 6757, 6561, 6693, 6761, 6587, 6701, 6765, 6595, 6703, 6767, 6613, 6705, 6777, 6619, 6707, 6779, 6645 and 6709.
SBC Environmental Health Services issued a warning today advising people to not swim, play or surf in oceans for at least three days following rain events.
“Storm water is untreated rainwater that flows through the drain system into creeks, the ocean and other waterways,” the warning said. “Contact with storm water while swimming or surfing may increase the risk for certain types of illnesses such as rashes, fever, chills, ear infections, vomiting and diarrhea.”
In February last year, the National Weather Service issued a similar warning to 15 I.V. properties, less than half included in the latest warning. However, three properties impacted by last year’s record-breaking storms were left out, a county official said at an Isla Vista Community Services District meeting that month.
“We decided to expand the noticing to any property that has a structure within 20 feet of the bluff edge,” Santa Barbara County Director of Planning and Development Lisa Plowman said. “It’s not because anything dramatic happened its just we thought it would be better to be more inclusive.”
The Nexus will continue to report on this topic as more information becomes available.
