Record rainfall to start 2026 continues to hit Santa Barbara County, with reports of more than an inch of rain per hour falling in the county and flooding on Highway 101 – closing it in both directions – Saturday afternoon.
“US 101 is closed in both directions near Goleta due to a series of mudslides,” Caltrans warned on social media at 10:35 am Saturday. “Southbound travelers on US 101 are being directed out at the junction with Hwy. 1 north of Gaviota. Northbound travelers are being directed to Winchester. Crews on scene. No estimate for reopening.”
Flash flood warnings continue in the area and National Weather Service officials warn that current storm conditions are expected to continue until approximately 2 pm for the Santa Barbara County cities of Isla Vista, Santa Barbara, Montecito, Summerland, Goleta and Carpinteria.
A person walks along a flooded street during a powerful long-lasting atmospheric river storm on February 4, 2024, in Santa Barbara, California (Mario Tama/Getty Images)
“I just received word from the field and there has been no change in the status of the road and the closure,” Caltrans spokesman Kevin Drabinski told SFGATE via text Saturday. “And we still don’t have an estimate for reopening.”
In the northern part of the county, Highway 1 near Orcutt is also closed in both directions, Caltrans officials said.
“Highway 1 near Orcutt is closed in both directions due to flooding between Solomon Rd. and Black Rd.,” Caltrans posted on social media at 10:05 a.m. Saturday. “No estimate for reopening. Please remember to adjust your driving to weather conditions, reduce speed, and keep space between vehicles in front of you.”
Aerial view of downtown Santa Barbara, California (Getty Images)
Drabinski of Caltrans confirmed two closures of Highway 1 in the northern part of Santa Barbara County: “Highway 1 near Orcutt by the golf course, and the closure of 1 north of Guadalupe where it goes under the railroad track,” he texted. “… Normally we would have to wait on those two until the rain stops and the waters recede. Fortunately we have good alternate routes for those two closures so essentially minimal traffic impact.”
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This article originally published in ‘No reopening estimate’: Two major California highways close due to flooding.