High Wind — Santa Ynez Valley, California

1998-02-07 to 1998-02-08 · Santa Ynez Valley, California

Wider weather episode

The third storm of the month brought more weather-related problems to Central and Southern California. Strong winds, gusting up to 70 mph, knocked down many trees and power lines. In Encino, the winds blew down Lang Oak, a one thousand year-old oak tree. Rainfall totals ranged from 1 to 4 inches over the coasts, up to 7 inches in the mountains. Widespread reports of urban and rural flooding were reported. In Santa Maria, Highway 101 was flooded by over one foot of water. Elsewhere, Interstate 5 as well as Highways 126, 166 and 246 reported closures due to flooding and mudslides. In the mountains of Santa Barbara county, a hiker drowned in Rattlesnake Creek. In the Angeles National Forest, a teenage snowboarder was found dead due to exposure. In the San Fernando Valley, a private road washed out, allowing a car to plummet 50 feet down a ravine. One man was killed and two others injured. In the mountains, up to 12 inches of snow fell at resort levels.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5629845. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.