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Emergency Crews Brace for Second Storm

Fire Crews Urge Residents to Get Prepared

Written by KEY News Staff

Story Created: Jan 22, 2012 at 7:16 PM PDT

Story Updated: Jan 23, 2012 at 11:54 AM PDT

With clean-up crews still mopping up after Saturday's windy weather, emergency personnel are looking ahead to the next big storm. Strong gusty wind ravaged the Tri Counties, knocking out powerlines and toppling trees.

Gordon Jones lives near Mission Canyon, where a downed tree fell Saturday.

"That took out some power and it also blocked the road. That was a double shot."

Kegan Long, also lives in Santa Barbara. He was concerned about a tree outside his home.

"It was waving around a lot. It looked like it was going to snap, possibly fall on the hood of my car."

With a second round of rain and wind on the way, residents and fire crews are bracing for the worst.

"Especially after the event we had yesterday, the duty personel are on heightened awareness," explains Captain Mike Deponce, with the Santa Barbara City Fire Department.

"Potentially they are expecting some high winds coming in tomorrow."

Jones adds, "big storms can happen and we're always worried about that. In a canyon like Mission Canyon here we only have one way in or out."

That is one reason emergency officials want people to prepare. They urge them to stock up on batteries, food and water. The basic rule of thumb is be able to be self sufficient for at least 72 hours.

Officials also ask that people be cautious during stormy weather, no matter how harmless conditions may seem.

"We call it shelter in place. Stay inside, if you don't have to go anywhere."

Emergency and city officials are doing their own preparedness testing. They will be staging a major disaster drill to test their communications systems on Thursday.
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