Santa Barbara County, CA — A flash flood warning is in effect for southern Santa Barbara County, where slow-moving thunderstorms are dropping heavy rain and threatening deadly mud and rock slides.

What is happening: The National Weather Service in Los Angeles/Oxnard issued a Flash Flood Warning for southern Santa Barbara County, in effect until 4:00 AM CT (2:00 AM local). Doppler radar shows thunderstorms producing rainfall at nearly an inch an hour over the Santa Ynez Range, the South Coast and the City of Santa Barbara. Flash flooding is happening now or will begin shortly, and forecasters warn rock slides and mud slides are likely — especially around mountain and foothill roadways.

Local impacts: Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets, underpasses and low-lying areas. Rock and mud slides can cut off roads in the hills with no warning. If you see water rising around you, get to higher ground immediately.

What to do:

- Turn around, don't drown — never drive through flooded roads. Most flood deaths happen in vehicles.

- Move to higher ground right away if water is rising near you.

- Avoid mountain and foothill roadways where slides are most likely.

- Do not walk through moving water — just six inches can knock you down.

Source: National Weather Service in Los Angeles/Oxnard, October 21, 2026.