Debris Flow — Santa Barbara, California

2018-01-09 · near Summerland, Santa Barbara, California

Event narrative

Intense rainfall generated a large and deadly mud and debris flow in the community of Montecito, around the burn scar of the Thomas fire. Automated rain gauges in the area indicated very intense rainfall, reaching as high as 0.54 inches in 5 minutes. The intense rainfall resulted in a mud and debris estimated to be 15 feet high. This event resulted in the confirmed deaths of 21 residents (2 missing) as well as destroying 128 residences and damaging 307 others. Highway 101 was closed for days due to the mud and debris.

Wider weather episode

A powerful winter storm impacted Southwestern California in early January. This storm generated heavy rainfall with totals ranging from 1-4 inches across the coasts and valleys with up to 7 inches over some foothill and mountain areas. At times, the rainfall was very intense, generating mud and debris including a deadly mud and debris flow in the community of Montecito. In the mountains, significant snowfall occurred at the resort level with over 6 inches of snow accumulation.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (34.4421, -119.5952)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 737349. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.