High Wind in Ventura County Interior Valleys, California

The first powerful storm of the month slammed into Central and Southern California. Powerful winds buffeted the entire area. Hearst Castle, in San Luis Obispo county, reported winds gusting to 90 mph. Elsewhere, winds gusting in excess of 70 mph were reported. Hundreds of trees and power lines were blown down, resulting in numerous power outages. In Pacoima, the wind blew the roof off an apartment complex. Along with the strong winds, heavy rain drenched the entire area. On average, rainfall totals ranged from 2 to 8 inches over coastal areas, up to 12 inches in the mountains. Widespread flooding was reported in all areas. Forty homes were flooded in Solvang and 15 homes were flooded in Ojai. Flooding and mudslides closed parts of most major roadways across the area...including Highways 1, 33, 101, 118, 126, 150, 154, 166 and the 246. In Santa Maria, one thousand feet of the Santa Maria River levee washed away, flooding hundreds of acres of farmland. In Granada Hills, two teenage girls were rescued after falling into Bull Creek. In Valencia, a farm worker was rescued from Castaic Creek. In the mountains, reported snowfall totals were as high as 3 feet at some resort locations.