The Red Cross has opened an evacuation center on the South Coast for people who’ve decided they want to evacuate in advance of Thursday's impending storm, even before mandatory evacuation orders have been issued.
The Red Cross has opened a facility at the Earl Warren Showgrounds, and is prepared to turn it into a full-scale shelter if needed. Meanwhile, the CHP is emphasizing that while it will close Highway 101 from Carpinteria to Santa Barbara if necessary, no closure has been scheduled at this point.
Officials say they will closely monitor the weather, and if needed will take the action just before the arrival of heavy rainfall.
