The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office announced that effective at 9 a.m. March 2, mandatory evacuation orders were lifted for all areas.

Preliminary reports indicate that the storm caused minor damage and flooding in the area. No damages were sustained to utility infrastructure.

“Together we made it through the first winter storm since the (mudslides).  On behalf of all public safety and emergency officials, we want to thank you for staying informed, being prepared and following the evacuation orders issued yesterday.  We know that being evacuated is a tremendous hardship and we did not make this decision lightly.  Because of your cooperation we were able to get through this together,” said Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown.

Tom Fayram, deputy director of the Santa Barbara County Flood Control District, added “The catch basins were effective. The creek channels, roads were able to handle the rain and debris.”