More on the Map

Last week we reported on the impending release of a revised Debris Flow Risk Map, which includes revisions to evacuation zones. The release of the map precedes three scheduled community meetings in Montecito and Carpinteria this week and next; the map went live on Monday, December 3, and all residents are strongly encouraged to check and see if their debris flow risk status has changed. 

The new map replaces an earlier iteration released in October, which showed 2,496 parcels in Montecito were in a debris flow risk zone, and would be under evacuation order during heavy storms. The new map takes into account a thorough study of our burned watershed, and includes extensive data collection, field reconnaissance, and scientific modeling based on new topography and clear debris basins and creek channels. The County utilized FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant funds to cover 75 percent of the $124,000 total cost of revising the interactive map. 

The map removes 959 parcels from the “red zone” from Montecito to Highway 150, roughly two-thirds of those homes are in Carpinteria, with the rest located in Montecito. Montecito Fire’s Division Chief of Operations Kevin Taylor explained that most of the removed parcels are on “the shoulders and perimeter” of the debris flow risk area. Many of those parcels are located near Westmont College and Sycamore Canyon Road. “This map represents refinement,” Taylor said, “And is based on the most scientific evidence we have.” 

The map also adds 199 new parcels to the risk zone that were not identified on the old map. Two-thirds of those are in Montecito, mostly along the San Ysidro drainage in the Hedgerow. “That was the only area that had significant numbers of properties added, but a few other areas had one or two parcels added,” he said. 

Taylor said the recent storms last week were a good indicator of the capacity of the basins and channels. “They performed flawlessly, and we feel really good about the .8-inch threshold,” he said. Flood Control reps monitored the storm carefully, and report that two creek channels, Romero and Toro Canyon, reached the .8-inch per hour threshold, and any minor debris flows that occurred stayed within the channels. 

According to the Office of Emergency Management, residents living below burn areas should refer to the map to see if their residence is in a risk area. With more storms on the horizon, it is imperative that residents know if they should evacuate if a storm meets the rain threshold. In the event of a rapidly developing storm with little to no warning, residents living in the risk areas should have a plan to protect themselves and their family if it is not safe to evacuate. This can include going to a neighbor who lives on higher ground or sheltering in place.

During evacuations, several schools in Montecito will close including Montecito Union School, Laguna Blanca Lower School, and Crane Country Day School. Cold Spring School, Mount Carmel, and Westmont will remain open. The map will soon include several Safe Zones, which people may access once a debris flow has occurred.  

For those without access to the Internet and the map, they should contact their local fire department. For the Montecito Fire Protection District, call (805) 969-7762; Carpinteria-Summerland Fire District, call (805) 566-2450; City of Santa Barbara Fire Department, call (805) 965-5254; and in Goleta, call County Fire at (805) 681-5500. 

 Residents and visitors should also go to www.ReadySBC.org to register for Aware and Prepare emergency alerts and download materials for Storm Ready-Set-Go. Upcoming community meetings will focus on the new map as well as reiterate the County’s evacuation plans. They are scheduled for Wednesday, December 12, at 5:30 pm at Montecito Union School. A meeting hosted in Spanish is also scheduled for Monday, December 10, 5:30 pm, at St. Joseph’s Church in Carpinteria. The meetings will be broadcast live at www.youtube.com/user/CSBTV20.