On Nov. 24, the National Weather Service issued a flash flood watch for the Santa Barbara area, including the Tea Fire Burn Area and the Sycamore Creek area below.
Santa Barbara County officials are closely monitoring the incoming storms and activating initial response plans in anticipation of the potential flooding or debris flows that might happen.
In a statement to the media, county officials said residents living within the burn area or immediately below it should have emergency plans in place and may want to consider leaving the area in advance of any official evacuations.
Residents should also be aware that, depending on weather conditions, certain roads might be closed to civilian vehicles.
If residents want to leave their homes, but have no other emergency shelter plans, they can contact the American Red Cross, Santa Barbara County Chapter, at 687-1331.
For more information about disaster preparedness, visit www.countyofsb.org or www.ready.gov.
This article appears in Nov 26 – Dec 3, 2008.
