Right now, sandbag stations are set up, public works crews are on high alert, and people in the community are protecting their properties as a strong round of rain is headed toward the Central Coast.
“What National Weather Service is telling us, is that we have a significant storm, as significant as January 9, 2023, if not more significant,” said Kelly Hubbard, director of Santa Barbara County’s Office of Emergency Management.
She says in anticipation of this weekend’s storm, public works crews have increased staffing to monitor local roads and levees. She adds that the Santa Barbara County Fire Department’s Swift Water Rescue Team has also been called in.
“That general enhanced awareness and staffing so we have people standing by and ready to respond if needed,” she told KSBY.
Hubbard says her team is also calling on community members to protect themselves from the elements. Robin Ledoux of Santa Maria says she is getting her apartment fortified.
“Towels, we keep them in a dry place so that if we need them, if water gets into our house and we need to block the door off, that is what we do with the towels,” she explained.