101 Freeway To Remain Shut Down Through Weekend
CARPINTERIA (CBSLA) – The 101 Freeway in Santa Barbara County is expected to remain shut down through Jan. 15 due to the devastating mudslides and flooding that have killed at least 17 people in Montecito.
Caltrans reported Wednesday that the freeway was closed between State Route 150 in Carpinteria north to Milpas Street in Santa Barbara. It was not expected to be reopened until at least Monday due to the large amounts of mud and debris damage.
Northbound drivers were being rerouted onto State Route 126 in Ventura. People driving up from Southern California were being asked to use the 5 Freeway.
State Route 33 was also closed three miles north of Ojai between Fairview and Lockview Valley roads. Video from Caltrans showed a portion of State Route 33 had completely washed away.
Meanwhile, Amtrak Pacific Surfliner reported that train tracks were also still shut down between Oxnard and Santa Barbara.
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office declared a public safety exclusion zone around Montecito late Tuesday night. People were stay asked to stay out of the area while rescuers search for survivors.
