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Major Storm Headed To Central, South Coasts Still On The Way, But Slower Than Predicted

People fill sandbags Monday night at one of the stations set up by the City of Ventura

The first major storm of the season for the Central and South Coasts is still on track to hit the region, but the arrival of the potentially heavy rainfall is now projected to be later than originally expected.

National Weather Service meteorologists now say the brunt of the storm should hit Southern Santa Barbara County between two and five a.m. Tuesday, and the heaviest rainfall in Ventura County is expected between four and seven a.m.

Rainfall amounts are still predicted to be in the two to four inch range on the coast and inland, with amounts from four to seven inches possible in the foothills, and mountains.  Officials are especially concerned about the potential for heavy localized rainfall during short periods of time, which could trigger flooding, debris flows, and mudslides.

The concern includes mountains recently stripped by the Thomas brush fire, as well as areas hit by the Whittier, Sherpa, and Rey fires.

A number of mandatory and voluntary evacuation orders are in effect for the region.  You can find the details under the resources link on the upper right hand corner of the kclu.org website.

Lance Orozco has been News Director of KCLU since 2001, providing award-winning coverage of some of the biggest news events in the region, including the Thomas and Woolsey brush fires, the deadly Montecito debris flow, the Borderline Bar and Grill attack, and Ronald Reagan's funeral. 
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