Storm Hits County; Worst to Come

The first wave of a powerful winter storm slammed into Ventura County on Monday, dropping more than an inch of rain in some areas, sending Presidents Day revelers scurrying for cover and providing a preview of what forecasters promise will be a wet week for county residents.

The large storm system, moving in from the northeast Pacific, began squeezing moisture onto the west county Monday morning, and was showering Simi Valley and Thousand Oaks by midafternoon.

By nightfall, more than 1 1/2 inches of rain had fallen at Matilija Dam, nearly an inch at the Ventura County Government Center and nearly half an inch in Thousand Oaks.

And forecasters predicted that the worst was yet to come, with heavy showers expected late Monday and throughout today. The wet weather is expected to continue through Wednesday and could linger into Thursday, forecasters said.

“We’re going to be seeing some pretty good, steady rain,” said Clay Morgan, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard. “My advice is bring an umbrella and allow plenty of extra time for the commute.”

Monday’s steady soaking prompted Ventura County flood control officials to cut short their holiday plans and report to work to keep an eye on rising streams and rivers. By late evening, none of the county’s waterways was in danger of flooding.

“It’s supposed to get much worse,” said Dolores Taylor, the county’s hydrologist. “It takes about 2 inches to really start seeing the creeks rise. We’re going to be here late and we’ll probably be busy.”

Throughout the county, rain-slicked roads contributed to at least half a dozen fender benders, but no serious injuries were reported, according to the California Highway Patrol. By late Monday, the storm had not forced any road closures, although there was minor flooding on some city streets.

North of Ventura, sheriff’s deputies kept watch over a hillside that last March unleashed 600,000 tons of mud on the coastal community of La Conchita and forced the evacuation of hundreds of residents. The hillside appeared stable throughout the day, authorities said.

The storm put a damper on some Presidents Day activities.

At the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library near Simi Valley, officials blamed the threat of rain for the low turnout at a Presidents Day fun run. But organizers of the holiday festivities said the storm may have actually boosted attendance at the library’s newly renovated museum.

More than 2,000 people jammed the museum Monday, the largest Presidents Day crowd since the library began the annual free day at the museum three years ago. The museum ordinarily charges $4 for adults.

Along Main Street in Ventura, brightly colored umbrellas dominated the downtown business district. Shoppers who had not anticipated the storm ducked in and out of downtown shops, their hair and clothes rainy-day wet.

“I don’t mind too much,” said Glenda Black of Camarillo, shivering in the entryway of an antique store while waiting for a break in the afternoon downpour. “It’s winter. And I expect it to rain in winter.”

Out at the beach, Dave and Michelle Gilbert supervised a group of kids playing volleyball and frolicking in puddles of mud. The couple had driven 45 minutes from Canyon Country to spend the holiday in the sand, only to be greeted by dark skies and driving rain.

Undeterred, they decided to make the most of it.

“We thought there was a possibility that it might rain, but we thought we would give it a try,” said Michelle Gilbert, soaked and shivering as the rain plunked into the sand. “The kids were all excited about coming and we didn’t want to cancel it, so here we are.”

By the time the storm moves out of Ventura County, forecasters say the coastal areas could receive as much as 2 inches of rain from the storm, while the mountains could accumulate 3 to 5 inches. High temperatures in the next few days are expected to be in the upper 50s and 60s, with lows in the 50s to nearly 60.

*

Times staff writer Christina Lima contributed to this report.