Search for 43 in mudslide chaos
RESCUE TEAMS COMB WRECKAGE WITH 17 DEAD SO FAR
According to authorities in southern California, dozens of residents were still unaccounted for after powerful mudslides that have killed 17 people, including four children, and destroyed homes in a region recently pummelled by massive wildfires.
Heavy rain, which followed 10 months of drought, sent sticky mud and debris flowing from the hills into Montecito and other towns in Santa Barbara County, northwest of Los Angeles.
“There are 43 people we’re now looking into and investigating to see if they actually are missing,” Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown said, while adding: “It’s a constantly moving number.”
Brown explained that those unaccounted for might be located, but warned that the death toll could rise. “There are mothers, fathers, grandfathers, siblings and the list goes on and on,” he said.
Terrifying wildfires forced people to evacuate in December, with the mudslides striking just two weeks after they returned. The fires burned most vegetation, leaving perfect conditions for the latest tragedy to unfold.
With clean-up operations under way, workers were battling the viscous mud on the streets of Montecito, while in other areas efforts focused on restoring electricity supply.
“It was a scary night,” resident Jane Barret said. Her doctor, the leader of her children’s scout group and a former neighbour were among the dead.
The highest rainfall was recorded at 13cm in Ventura County, according to the National Weather Service, but rain is not forecast for this week.
Residents were rescued by helicopter from the roofs of their homes, with some later returning to recover belongings and pets. Many described the storm as similar to a stampede or an outof-control train. Greg Duimovich said his house had “never” shaken so much from a rainstorm.
More than 50km of the 101 Freeway, which connects northern California to the south, remained blocked by mud. – AFP