El Nino preparedness information
The County of Santa Barbara recently hosted a community meeting focused on preparing for predicted El Niño weather conditions and potential impacts on residents, including school communities.
School leaders proactively plan for emergencies and, when severe weather occurs, consult with city, county, and law enforcement agencies to assess local conditions and determine whether schools can operate safely.
Decisions to close a school or release students early are never taken lightly. Schools recognize how much students, staff, and families depend on consistent school schedules and services.
Unless an evacuation order is in place, school officials make closure decisions on a campus-by-campus basis, guided by local conditions and consultation with partner agencies. Our goal is to keep schools open, as long as safe conditions exist.
Stay connected with the school for updates, make sure your emergency contact information is current, and sign up for countywide emergency alerts at ReadySBC.org.
Recordings of the El Niño Community Meeting information are available in English and Spanish for those who would like to learn more about El Niño preparedness and local resources.
LINK to slides from El Niño Community Meeting
LINK: Sign up to receive El Niño Community Preparedness e-blasts from the County of Santa Barbara
Other reminders and important resources:
Register for countywide emergency alerts at https://www.readysbc.org/
If you have questions about emergency orders and warnings, contact the county Call Center at 833-688-5551.
Always follow the directions of local authorities - if you're told to evacuate, do so.
Prepare for power outages by keeping cell phones and other devices charged.
Countywide sandbag stations open October 15, 2026: https://www.countyofsb.org/pw-sandbags
Be aware that travel routes could be impacted by the storm. Check for road closure updates: https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/
For Evacuation Center information, contact the American Red Cross at (805) 678-3073.
For animal evacuation information, call Santa Barbara County Animal Services at (805) 681-4332, Monday-Friday from 8 am-5 pm. If you need animal evacuation support outside those hours, please call the County Animal Services after-hours phone line at (805) 683-2724
The National Weather Service reports that the storms may continue in the coming days. For the latest weather outlook, please visit: https://www.weather.gov/lox/