Santa Barbara County First District Supervisor Das Williams — Remembering the 1/9 Debris Flow

by Community Contributor • January 4, 2024 • Comments Off

Das Williams, 1st District County Supervisor

Raising Our Light to Remember the 1/9 Debris Flow

It’s hard to believe that we are approaching six years since the 1/9 Debris flow. that took the lives of 23 people and damaged hundreds of homes.

This tragic event has changed us all in profound ways. For me, and for our Flood Control staff, it has further heightened our personal and professional commitments to improve safety, which is why we are embarking on a Montecito Flood Control Master Plan to improve the capacity of all creeks in Montecito.

Please join me next Tuesday, January 9th and remember, at Raising Our Light.

Raising Our Light

Tuesday, January 9 at 6:00 pm

Montecito Union School, 385 San Ysidro Road

It is normal to experience feelings of fear, anxiety, and sadness at the anniversary of a disaster. The Community Wellness Team (CWT) was created to support residents following the Thomas Fire and 1/9 Debris Flow. Representatives of the CWT will be on-site for the Raising Our Light ceremony to provide support for anyone in need or looking to connect. Community members are welcome to contact the CWT at any time by calling 805-364-2750.

Community members are welcome to gather in the school courtyard for a short program of speakers and reading of the names of the 23 people we lost on January 9, 2018. Bells will ring out 23 times from local churches and schools, Montecito firefighters will light 23 candles in honor of the lives lost and we will pause for a moment of silence together.

Volunteers needed for Point In Time Count

I am happy to report we have made some big progress on homelessness over the past four years, securing housing for over 3,000 formerly homeless individuals, and bringing over 450 more housing units online. Critical to that progress is ensuring we continue to have the funding to make a difference – and critical to securing the funding is having accurate counts of where people who are living unsheltered are. You can help be a part of this effort by volunteering for the Point In Time count on Wednesday, January 24th. Click here to learn more or sign up to volunteer!

Learn More

Learn How You Can Electrify Your Home

Today many homes on the Central Coast use natural gas or propane to power heating at home, like space heating, water heating, cooking, and drying clothes. The great news is it’s now easier than ever to power our homes with clean, climate safe renewable energy.

Come learn about the important first steps to creating a clean energy home. Resilient Central Coast, in partnership with 3C-REN, is hosting a Home Electrification Workshop on Tuesday, January 23 at 6:30 PM. We’ll discuss resources and services available to help residents—from home evaluations and electrical system check-ups to working with contractors and stacking rebates and incentives.

Report Damage from the December Storm

Santa Barbara County residents and businesses are encouraged to complete this form to report damages sustained as a result of the December 20-21 2023 storm. The information compiled will assist public safety officials in understanding the extent of local impacts and advocate on behalf of the community for state and federal assistance. All information provided will be kept confidential and utilized for storm recovery assistance only.

Residents and businesses with insurance are advised to report covered damage and losses directly to their insurance company. Residents and businesses should complete this form if they have no insurance or their damages and losses are not covered by existing insurance.

Report Storm Damage