Shortly after 10 a.m., the California Highway Patrol announced on X that #Highway101 is #closed from Winchester in Goleta to State Route 1
“due to debris flow and flooding for an unknown duration.”
#CHP advises motorists to use Highway 154 as an alternate route
and to drive slow and travel safe, warning that conditions may change rapidly.
In its own post at 10:35 a.m., #Caltrans clarified that
👉 Highway 101 is closed in both directions due to what it describes as “a series of mudslides” near #Goleta.
Caltrans crews are on site and directing southbound travelers on the 101 off at the junction with Hwy. 1 north of #Gaviota,
while northbound travelers are being directed off at #Winchester Canyon.
⭐️“No estimate for reopening,” Caltrans said.
According to Caltrans, Highway 1 near #Orcutt is also closed in both directions due to flooding between Solomon Road and Black Road.
There is no estimate for reopening in that case either
https://www.independent.com/2026/01/03/flash-flood-warning-issued-for-parts-of-santa-barbara-county-as-101-closes-for-unknown-duration/