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Santa Barbara County Flooding Closes 50 Miles Of Coastline To Oceangoers

Tuesday's flooding swept some vehicles down Montecito Creek to the ocean in Montecito. 50 miles of ocean along the Santa Barbara County coastline has been closed due to contamination from the floodwaters

Tuesday’s flooding in Santa Barbara County caused death, destruction, as well as a new problem in the form of ocean pollution.

Santa Barbara County Public Health officials have closed a nearly 50 miles stretch of the county’s coastline to swimming, surfing and other activities. They say the water has been contaminated by high bacterial levels, chemicals, and sewage carried into the ocean by the flood waters.

The shutdown includes the ocean off the coast from the Ventura County line at Rincon Point to Gaviota Beach. People can still use the sandy beach area, but are being warned to be careful because of hazardous items washing up on the beaches.

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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