Ventura County issues evacuation warnings as storm could cause flooding, debris flows

Cheri Carlson, Ventura County Star
·2 min read
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Lake Piru is not full after a couple of big storms on Tuesday, Jan.17, 2023.
Lake Piru is not full after a couple of big storms on Tuesday, Jan.17, 2023.

Ventura County authorities issued evacuation warnings Monday, saying this week's storm could cause flooding and debris flows in some areas.

The brunt of the storm is expected to hit the county on Tuesday between noon and midnight. Rainfall totals could reach 2 to 4 inches in coastal and valley areas and 3 to 6 inches in the foothills and mountains.

The Ventura County Sheriff's Office of Emergency Services issued evacuation warnings that start at 6 p.m. Monday. A warning means people should be prepared to leave but the threat is not yet imminent.

"We want to emphasize that if you have any kind of disability, access or functional need, it is always advisable to leave early," OES Director Patrick Maynard said. "Don't wait until there's an evacuation order issued."

For those able to leave quickly, keep an eye on what is happening, he said.

"These things escalate quickly, and we don't want people to wait to hear from us to evacuate if they see conditions become unsafe," Maynard said.

What areas are under evacuation warnings?

Warnings set to take effect at 6 p.m. Monday through 10 p.m. Tuesday:

  • South Matilija Road, Matilija Springs area - Camino Cielo

  • North Fork Springs Road

  • Creek Road-Old Creek Road

  • Camp Chaffee Road-Casitas Vista Road area

  • Some homes in the area of the 700 block of Grada and Trueno avenues near Camarillo. The spot is affected because of a compromised storm drain.

Warning set to take effect at 6 p.m. Monday through 10 a.m. Thursday:

Warning set to effect from 6 a.m. Tuesday to 9 a.m. Wednesday:

  • Ventura Beach RV Resort

A map of those areas is available at vcemergency.com. Some were hit hard by previous storms, leaving spots more vulnerable.

What happens if Lake Piru spills?

Water levels in Piru Lake also are approaching capacity. When that happens, water would breach the lake's spillway for the first time in years. Depending on how much water spills, high flows in the creek could cause flooding on Piru Canyon Road.

The lake was at 93.9% capacity on Monday afternoon. Officials expect the lake to spill sometime this week, but it is unclear exactly when that will happen.

When it does, Maynard said residents should know that the facilities were designed to do this and the spillway is capable of handling the flows.

Debris or high flows could cause issues at downstream creek crossings. That could lead to flooding on Piru Canyon Road or in low-lying areas.

"It is something we need to watch, and we want to give people a heads up on," Maynard said.

How to get emergency alerts

To sign up for emergency alerts in Ventura County, go to readyventuracounty.org/vc-alert. For information about the storm, evacuation warnings and potential road closures, go to vcemergency.com.

Cheri Carlson covers the environment and county government for the Ventura County Star. Reach her at cheri.carlson@vcstar.com or 805-437-0260.

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Ventura County issues evacuation warnings ahead of storm