UPDATE — Thursday, October 22, 12:30 AM CT: Law enforcement now reports thunderstorms producing heavy rain at 1 to 2 inches per hour across the warned area. The National Weather Service says flash flooding is ongoing or imminent, with dangerous rock slides and mud slides expected.

Santa Barbara, California — Heavy thunderstorms are dumping rain over southeastern Santa Barbara County tonight, and the National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Warning for the area through 2:00 AM.

What is happening: Rain gauges are reporting thunderstorms producing 1 to 1.5 inches of rain per hour across the warned area. Forecasters say dangerous flash flooding is happening now or will start shortly. They are also warning of dangerous rock slides and mud slides in the burn scar and hillside areas.

Local impacts: Flash flooding can hit creeks and streams, city streets, and low-lying roads with little warning. Runoff is overwhelming poor-drainage areas. Rock slides and mud slides are a real threat on hillside roads — debris can come down without warning. Flooding at night is especially dangerous because water on the road is nearly impossible to see.

What to do:

- Turn around, do not drown — never drive through flooded roads. It takes only inches of moving water to sweep a vehicle away.

- Most flood deaths happen in cars. Stay home if you can.

- Get to higher ground immediately if water starts rising near you.

- Stay off canyon and hillside roads where slides are likely.

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