Santa Barbara County faces some of the most extreme compound disaster risk in California. The Thomas Fire in December 2017 burned 280000 acres — the largest in California history at the time. The subsequent January 2018 Montecito mudslide killed 23 people and destroyed 100 homes when rain fell on the burned hillsides. Vandenberg Space Force Base launches military satellites and ballistic missile tests from the county. The compound wildfire-mudslide risk is the defining emergency planning challenge.
// Recommended Supplies
Essential gear for power outages, severe weather, and emergency situations in your area.
- Emergency Food Supplies
- Water Filtration & Storage
- Backup Generator
- Solar Backup Power
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// Risk Intelligence
| Threat Score | 7 / 10 High Risk |
| Primary Hazard | Wildfire / Mudslide |
| Secondary Hazard | Earthquake |
| FEMA Flood Zone | High |
| Federally Declared Disasters | 8 |
| Last Major Event | Montecito Mudslide 2018 |
| Event Frequency | Annual |
// Emergency Operations
| Emergency Mgmt Phone | (805) 681-5526 |
| Emergency Shelters | 12 designated facilities |
| Evacuation Routes | US-101 CA-154 CA-246 CA-1 |
// County Profile
| County | Santa Barbara County CA |
| State | California (CA) |
| Population | 448 |
| Area | 2,737 sq miles |
| FEMA Region | High |
// Major Cities
// Cities in This County
// Other California Counties
// Nearby Infrastructure Risks
Critical infrastructure facilities within or near this area that could affect civilian safety during emergencies, conflict, or infrastructure failures.
Infrastructure risk data is for emergency preparedness awareness. Facility locations are publicly known. Always follow official emergency guidance.