In southern California rescuers try to reach the destroyed houses after the mountains was struck by a powerful debris flows.
A mudflow is a rapid mud flow from stones occurring in the mountains during rainstorms. According to representatives of the County of Santa Barbara, at least 13 people were killed, another 25 were injured. But these figures could rise once rescuers, coast guard and national guard reach areas, literally drowning in the mud.
They will focus on finding survivors.
As told the Associated Press the Sheriff of the County of Santa Barbara bill brown, destroyed some houses are in areas that are not yet available. Most of the victims in Montecito is a wealthy enclave Northwest of Los Angeles. There live many celebrities, including Oprah Winfrey. She is a leading actress was not injured, but her yard was filled with mud from the mountains.
Among the dozens rescued in Montecito was 14-year-old girl who was trapped in a ruined house in a few hours.
According to experts, debris flows in southern California – is a consequence of the strongest forest fires, which burned the vegetation holding the soil. After the fires, the region was hit by heavy rains.
A resident of Montecito, Thomas Tige says: he woke up in the middle of the night and heard a «crashing sound, like riding a freight train». It was the boulders, which carried a debris flow. «The street turned into a river of mud, it floated the car. In the morning I saw in the yard of his neighbor, the human body,» says Thomas Tige.
Before the tragedy, authorities alerted residents of areas threatened by mudslides, about the evacuation, but the warnings heeded only 10-15% of the population.
These photos show how Southern California has been devastated by mudslides that killed at least 13 people and left hundreds trapped in their homes https://t.co/SzACXXglQG pic.twitter.com/eXQ7ZQ5PH8
— Business Insider (@businessinsider) January 10, 2018
