Sandbag Stations and Free Emergency Parking Opens

A powerful winter storm is set to arrive on the Central Coast and across Southern California on Sunday, with the most significant impacts expected Monday, according to the National Weather Service.

The City of Santa Barbara and the City of Goleta are taking proactive safety measures ahead of the Santa Barbara County Major February Storm, including activating self-serve sandbag stations and offering free emergency storm parking. There is no evacuation in effect at this time.

What to expect

Timing: After a dry, seasonable weekend with increasing clouds, rain and wind arrive late Sunday into Monday. The highest-impact window is Monday.
Hazards Monday: Severe thunderstorms are possible, with brief intense downpours, strong wind gusts, small hail, isolated waterspouts, and a brief weak tornado not ruled out. Additional threats include burn-scar debris flows; flash flooding with rock and mud slides; damaging gradient winds; heavy mountain snow; and very high surf with coastal flooding.
Watches/Advisories: A Flood Watch is in effect Monday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Additional High Wind Watches, Wind Advisories, and Winter Storm Watches are posted for parts of the region, including the mountains.
Storm character: Forecasters highlight a low-instability, high-wind-shear environment that can produce rapid, localized extremes with low predictability right up to onset. Not all locations will see dangerous weather, but some spots could experience severe or even destructive impacts.

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Day-by-day outlook

Saturday–Sunday: Dry, seasonable to slightly above-normal temperatures; clouds increase as the storm approaches. Use Sunday to prepare.
Late Sunday night–Monday: Peak impacts. Expect periods of heavy rain, strong winds, dangerous surf and coastal flooding, and heavy mountain snow. Thunderstorms may trigger brief, intense hazards (downpours, small hail, isolated waterspouts, or a brief weak tornado). Flood Watch in effect 9 a.m.–9 p.m. Monday.
Tuesday: Colder and blustery with scattered, diurnally driven showers and upslope-enhanced precipitation under a very cold upper low (around -20°C at 500 mb). Highs mostly at or below the 50s. High-elevation snow may briefly taper, but blowing/drifting snow and reduced visibility remain concerns. Winter Storm Watches continue for the eastern San Gabriel Mountains and northern Ventura County Mountains.
Tuesday night–Wednesday and midweek: An even colder system renews precipitation, with additional rounds of rain, mountain snow, and coastal flooding concerns persisting into midweek.

A series of storms will move through southern California late Sunday through Thursday, bringing rain, gusty winds, snow, thunderstorms and large swell, gales, and dangerous seas to the area. The first system Sunday night into Monday brings heavy rain, gusty winds, thunderstorms, potential for a weak tornado, and heavy snow for the mountains. Coastal and ocean hazards increase Monday as well, with a potential for coastal flooding and dangerous ocean conditions developing. Snow levels begin dropping Monday night, falling further Tuesday night into Wednesday as the second system moves through. Expecting more rain and lower elevation snow with the second system with snow impacts for the I-5 corridor along with other lower passes (snow levels falling to 2500 to 4000 feet). Dangerous ocean conditions and coastal flooding are ongoing into Wednesday.

Emergency Storm Parking Now Activated

The City of Santa Barbara has activated free Emergency Storm Parking for residents in flood-prone areas at City Lot 2, located at Canon Perdido Street and Chapala Street.

Residents must register for storm parking through this portal during the specified storm registry period. Unregistered vehicles will be charged at the standard hourly parking rate. Registered license plate must match the vehicle to receive validation.  

Activation Registration Window:

Open: NOW
Closes: February 17, 9:00 p.m.

Complimentary Parking Window:

Opens: February 15, 12:00 p.m.
Closes: February 17, 9:00 p.m.

Parking Location: City Lot 2 – Roof (914 Chapala Street)

For more information and to register online, visit Emergency Storm Parking (SantaBarbaraCA.gov/StormParking).

Sandbag Stations in Goleta and Santa Barbara

Fire Station 14 Sand Bag Station_241122

Santa Barbara – Sunday, February 15, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Sandbags are available to residents free of charge. Residents are reminded that the City Sandbag Distribution Policy is designed to assist in the protection of private property only during storm emergency conditions. 

Bring your own gloves and shovels and be prepared to fill the bags you need.
Fill your sandbags halfway so they are not too heavy to lift and can be stacked properly.
You may take 20 sandbags per trip.
To learn how to fill and stack sandbags, watch the video.

For more sandbag information, visit SantaBarbaraCA.gov/Sandbags.

Goleta Sandbag Stations

Fire Station 11 (6901 Frey Way and Storke Road just south of Santa Felicia, across from the main post office)
Fire Station 14 (320 Los Carneros Road next to the Stow House Museum lot)

Here are some things you should know about sandbag pick up:

Sand and bags are available on a first come, first served basis.
Bring your shovel to fill the bags.
Pick up is open during daylight hours, seven days/week.
20 bag limit (additional bags can be purchased at home improvement stores).
Bags are intended for Goleta community members. Please don’t take more than you need to allow others who may need the sand and bags more.
It is easiest to fill the bags with two people — one to hold the bag and the other to shovel the sand.

 Resources:

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