FRANTICAlly seekINg lIFe

Hunt for survivors as Calif. mudslide toll rises

RESCUE WORKERS searched tirelessly Wednesday for trapped survivors of the mudslides that swept through coastal towns in Southern California, killing at least 17 people.

The death toll grew after searchers discovered two more bodies Wednesday in the hardhit enclave of Montecito, Santa Barbara County officials said.

Meanwhile, 17 people remain missing since early Tuesday, when torrential rain sent mud and debris barreling down a fire-ravaged mountain, wreaking havoc on properties.

Loved ones of missing residents in Montecito waited with bated breath for any updates on their whereabouts but grew more anxious as the day progressed without any word.

“It’s just waiting and not knowing, and the more I haven’t heard from them — we have to find them,” said Kelly Weimer, whose elderly parents’ house in Montecito was demolished by the mudslides.

Her parents, Jim and Alice Mitchell, opted to stay home Monday to celebrate the dad’s 89th birthday, ignoring the voluntary evacuation warning.

“They’re an adorable couple, and they were in love with their house. That’s their forever home,” Weimer said.

While the powerful storm that caused the mudslides dissipated Wednesday, rescue workers still moved gingerly through the dangerous terrain. Search teams had a few glimmers of hope, rescuing three people.

Anthony Buzzerio, a Los Angeles County fire battalion chief assisting in the recovery, said he received reports of rescuers falling through mud-covered manholes and swimming pools.

“The mud is acting like a candy shell on ice cream,” he said.

“It’s crusty on top but soft underneath, so we’re having to be very careful.”

Santa Barbara County officials said 20 people remained hospitalized from the mudslides. They also said the powerful torrent razed 100 houses and damaged 300 others.

Rescue crews were joined by residents in their search for survivors.

One man, who wished only to be identified as Mikey, trudged through the Montecito mud with a shovel in hand.

Since early Wednesday morning, he’d been digging for his girlfriend’s missing sisters, Morgan and Corey Sawyer, the Los Angeles Times reported.

A wrecked garage and cars are part of mudslide damage Wednesday in Montecito, Calif., as region reeled from disaster that cost at least 17 lives.

Top, part of a house is impaled by tree branches after being knocked off its foundation in Montecito. Above, van is buried in mud after heavy rains came to Sun Valley, Calif.