Flash Flood — San Luis Obispo, California

2021-01-28 · near Sycamore Spgs, San Luis Obispo, California

Event narrative

Heavy rain fell over the Avila Fire burn scar, producing a mud and debris flow. The northbound lanes of Highway 101 were closed due to mud and debris from the burn scar.

Wider weather episode

A powerful winter storm impacted Central and Southern California with heavy rain and snow, gusty winds and widespread urban flooding. The heaviest rainfall totals (4-10 inches) fell across San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties due to the influence of an atmospheric river. With such rainfall totals, numerous reports of flooding were received in these areas. Across Ventura and Los Angeles counties, rainfall totals were less, but still significant. Ventura county received 2 to 6 inches of rainfall with 1-4 inches across Los Angeles county. With snow levels around 5000 feet, significant snowfall fell in the mountains of Ventura and Los Angeles counties with 1 to 2 feet of snowfall reported. Along with the precipitation, southerly winds, gusting up to 80 MPH, impacted the area.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (35.1733, -120.6967)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 942749. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.