Flash Flood — San Luis Obispo, California

2010-11-21 · near Bromela, San Luis Obispo, California

Event narrative

California Highway Patrol reported flash flooding in southern San Luis Obispo County. Due to heavy rain, the roadway was completely washed away at the intersection of Highway 1 and Division Street.

Wider weather episode

An early season storm dropped down across Central and Southern California, bringing heavy rain and flash flooding. The storm produced two impulses of rainfall between the 19th and 21st. The heaviest rainfall occurred across San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties with rainfall totals ranging from 0.50 to 1.50 inches across coastal areas to between 1.50 and 4.00 inches in the foothills and mountains. Across Los Angeles Counties, the rainfall totals were less, ranging between 0.25 and 0.75 inches across coastal areas to between 1.00 and 3.00 inches in the foothills and mountains. The heavy rain produced some flash flooding across San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties. Snow levels did not drop until after a majority of the rainfall had fallen, so only 2 to 4 inches of snowfall was reported above 5000 feet.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (34.9930, -120.5743)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 266903. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.