The forecast calls for storms to drench Ventura County early next week, prompting warnings of heavy rain and gusty winds over the Presidents Day holiday.
The rain likely will reach local areas on Feb. 15, with the peak expected Monday morning through at least mid-afternoon, officials said.
Ryan Kittell, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard, described «a very active storm pattern,» and high confidence that all areas in the region would receive moderate to heavy rainfall on Monday and possibly into Tuesday.
«The jet stream sags south into California and really focuses over the state all week,» Kittell said.
Cars drive through a large puddle at Cortez Street in El Rio as a major storm moved across Ventura County on Dec. 24.
Cars drive through a large puddle at Cortez Street in El Rio as a major storm moved across Ventura County on Dec. 24.
In all, coastal and valley areas could receive at least 1.5 to 3 inches of rainfall through Tuesday. Foothill and mountain spots could see 3 to 6 inches.
Authorities had not issued any evacuation warnings as of Feb. 13, saying none appeared warranted based on the current forecast.
«We will need to continue to monitor the forecast, however, and adjust plans if need be,» said Patrick Maynard, director of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services.
He also urged residents to stay alert for any changing conditions.
How much rain has Ventura County received?
So far, much of the county has recorded over 160% of normal rainfall for this point in the water year, which started in October. Some areas have topped 200% of normal.
Early season storms in late December and early January drenched the county, washing out roads and boosting local reservoirs. Lake Casitas had neared its spillway. Officials said the Ojai Valley reservoir could start to spill during the upcoming storm, depending on rainfall.