Ventura County hit hard by heavy rain; evacuation orders issued

The 101 Freeway was fully closed between State Route 33 in Ventura County and State Route 150 in Santa Barbara County due to flooding Tuesday morning.    

Around 5:38 p.m., the California Highway Patrol said the 101 Freeway was open for travel again to Santa Barbara. 

The latest atmospheric river to hit Southern California has caused severe flooding and mudslides in Ventura County, as continuous heavy rain continues to raise concerns for residents. 

A flash flood warning was issued for all of Southern Ventura County, expected to last through Tuesday at 6 p.m., as the storm front moved into the area overnight.

The Ventura Beach RV Resort park prepared for the storm but was inundated by flooding from the nearby Ventura River. "This is the most water we've seen in 28 years," said park owner Tom Staben.

A number of evacuation orders have been issued for the area, including La Conchita and the Ventura Beach RV Resort. 

Sierra Rivers, a traveling nurse, is one of the many people staying at the RV park that has had to evacuate twice in the last week in between her 12 hour shifts. 

"If I go to work and I don't move it, it could start flooding while I'm gone," she said. 

The Ventura River was rushing late Monday afternoon, raising water levels to a depth of 25 feet. 

Thus far, Ventura County Fire Department has rescued more than a dozen people from the river — seven by air via the department's rescue helicopter. The others were rescued by ladder dropped from an overpass. 

As rain continues to fall, mudflows have begun to occur throughout the area, including into several backyards and roads near Nye Road in the Casitas Springs community.

The banks of the creek at Foster Park broke due to overflowing water, flooding picnic areas and hiking trails. 

On the coast, city officials ordered the closure of the Ventura Pier to protect the public, as high surf was expected to accompany the storm. 

Major roadways were also closed due to the deluge, including the 101 Freeway through the city of Ventura. 

An alternate route to the 101, State Route 126, was also closed as a mudslide hit the area, trapping several vehicles that included a big rig.