Santa Barbara County, CA – Residents in the Santa Ynez Valley have minutes to take shelter as a radar-indicated tornado threat moves east at 25 mph early Tuesday morning.
According to the National Weather Service in Oxnard, a Tornado Warning remains in effect until 1:15 a.m. Tuesday for northwestern Santa Barbara County. At 12:48 a.m., a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located near Los Alamos, about 8 miles northwest of Santa Ynez, tracking east.
The storm is expected near Santa Ynez and Solvang around 12:55 a.m., with Buellton, Figueroa Mountain and Lake Cachuma also in its path. Radar shows rotation within the storm, signaling the potential for a brief tornado to develop with little additional notice.
Flying debris poses the greatest risk. Mobile homes could be heavily damaged or destroyed, and roofs, windows and vehicles may sustain significant damage. Tree damage is likely along Highway 154 and surrounding rural roads.
Emergency officials urge residents to take cover immediately. Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building and stay away from windows. Those in vehicles or mobile homes should seek substantial shelter now. Tornadoes are extremely difficult to see at night, especially during heavy rain.
The warning remains in effect until 1:15 a.m., and additional advisories could follow as the storm continues east across the region.
