Residents of Santa Barbara County’s South Coast are encouraged to prepare for heavy rain from Oct. 12 through Oct. 15 and officials have set up sandbag stations to allow area residents to protect their properties.

Recent fires in the South Coast region of Santa Barbara County mean that heavy rains could result in flooding or mudslides, officials warned. Weather patterns and conditions downstream from burned areas are being monitored to gauge the threat. The Weather Service is expected to issue a flash flood watch on Oct. 12 to alert residents to possible flooding risks.

Sandbag stations have been opened at the following locations:

• County Fire Station No. 11 at 6901 Frey Way, Goleta. Open 24 hours, seven days a week.

• County Fire Station No. 14 at 320 Los Carneros Road, Goleta. Open 24 hours, seven days a week.

• County Corporate Yard at 4430 Calle Real, Santa Barbara, next to Transfer Station. Open 24 hours, seven days a week.

• Santa Barbara Botanical Garden parking lot at 1212 Mission Canyon Road, Santa Barbara. Open 24 hours, seven days a week.

• Montecito Fire Station No. 2 at 595 San Ysidro Road, Montecito. Open 24 hours, seven days a week.

• Northerly terminus of Tunnel Road. Open 24 hours, seven days a week.

• City of Santa Barbara Annex Yard at 401 E. Yanonali St. Open from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Oct. 12. Hours may be extended depending on weather conditions. From Oct. 13 to Oct. 16, the Annex Yard will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. until further notice.

There is no limit on the number of sandbags area residents may take. Residents must fill sandbags themselves and bring their own gloves.

Additional resources:

• Residents can determine if their property is located in a high-risk area or learn how to protect their property by visiting www.SantaBarbaraCA.gov/OES.

• A flood prevention guide is available on the County Flood Control District Web site at www.countyofsb.org/pwd/water.

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