Montecito Creek on Jan. 31st after rainstorm

This video was taken by Montecito resident Emily Merkey at 10 AM Thursday, just a few hours after an early morning storm began. The storm that begins tonight - Friday, February 1st, is predicted to be stronger and will last a lot longer. With the ground already heavily saturated, there is a chance for Debris flow to occur in the Thomas/Whittier/Sherpa fire burn areas.

Evacuations ordered by 8PM

EVACUATION ORDER: The Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office has issued an EVACUATION ORDER due to heavy rain arriving late tonight, February 1, 2019 for the Thomas/Whittier/Sherpa fire burn areas. If you are in a Debris Flow Risk Area you are Ordered to evacuate by 8 PM. To view the evacuation map, visit ReadySBC.org.